Ranchi: On Sunday, if you happen to go to Hundru falls with a crate of beer to enjoy with friends, be prepared to face a stiff fine. Around 1,000 residents of Kuchu panchayat that includes the majestic waterfall in Angara block, 40km from capital, formally announced total liquor prohibition in their area on Saturday.

The ban will apply to both residents and tourists at Hundru fall from Sunday onwards. Depending upon season, Hundru waterfall gets anywhere from 3,000 to 30,000 visitors every weekend, most of whom come with liquor bottles, increasing vulnerability to drowning deaths, road mishaps due to drunk driving, gender crimes and other law and order problems.

The two-day prohibition at waterfalls near Ranchi on December 31 and January 1 that led to zero drowning deaths this time was a key reason for Saturday's move, Hundru gram pradhan Baleshwar Bedia said.

Kuchu panchayat mukhiya Sangita Devi, Hundru gram pradhan Bedia, Sikidiri thana OC Praveen Kumar Sinha and paryatak mitras (volunteers of tourism department) and residents took out a padyatra on Saturday morning that culminated in a jan sabha near the tourist spot at noon to decide on total prohibition.

Hundru gram pradhan Bedia said everyone unanimously vowed to enforce prohibition.

"From Sunday, anyone caught drinking or brewing liquor will be fined Rs 1,000. This apart, Rs 500 is fixed as fine for open defecation," he said.

Mukhiya Sangita Devi said they will soon have volunteers in each village to ensure this mission.

"Problems will occur but it's better to openly dare violators now than to lose lives over alcoholism. Places where liquor is banned are safer and more prosperous in all terms," she said during the jan sabha.

Agreed Bedia, "This move will increase overall safety. We all worked very hard to ban liquor during New Year at all major waterfalls in and around Ranchi and we saw the results. Now, that momentum has to be carried ahead. The whole of Kuchu panchayat, including Hundru waterfall, will be prohibition-free."

He added that the ban on drinking would lead to safer driving on Sikidiri valley, which was accident-prone zone due to over-speeding, drunken driving.

Sikidiri OC Praveen Kumar Sinha offered full support to campaign.

"Under my area, I stopped cockfights ( murga ladai) and gambling. My target is total prohibition. When people are coming forward, we will ensure that no one oppose or hurts any volunteer who tries to prevent people from drinking. Social policing will help save many lives and cut down crimes," he said.

Kuchu panchayat with a population of 2,500, has six villages, Hundru, Badri, Ambatungri, Bhukmudia, Bargora and Khabavan. But Hundru is the star of the show.