No alcohol permitted 48 hours prior to elections in Assam, new govt order

Assam government has declared dry day for 48 hours - from 5 pm when the campaign ends to the time when the polling concludes on a day - in all the three phases of Lok Sabha elections in the state. As per the declaration, dry day would be in force in the constituencies where elections would be held on April 11, 18 and 23, an official release said Thursday.

In the first phase, the 48-hour period of liquor ban would be between 5 pm of April 9 and the same time of April 11. Similar system would be followed in the two other phases. Dry day will also be in force on the day of counting on April 23.

There would be total ban on sale of any intoxicant during the dry days, the release said. Steps will also be taken to prohibit sale of liquor in areas adjoining constituencies concerned to prevent movement of liquor from those areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)