Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise, B J Gadhvi, who was in the city a couple of days ago, is stated to have issued directives to alert all prohibition offices in the city and instructed officials to take all necessary steps to control the flow of liquor into the city from neighbouring areas like Daman and Maharashtra.

He is also stated to have directed officials to call the 200-odd policemen posted in various prohibition police stations in South Gujarat to Surat, who would be assisted by about 50 SRP personnel, summoned specifically for the purpose.

In addition, the southern division of the commissionerate -- considered most vulnerable to liquor flow in the State -- has been further strengthened with the appointment of D G Vanjhara as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) earlier this week. For first time in months the division seems to be well-equipped to handle the situation.

Vanjhara, is however yet to take charge from G M Pargi, holding the additional charge of DCP (South) of the prohibition from October 3. Pargi had replaced N D Solanki, who was transferred as Bharuch DSP.

Gajendrasinh P Puwar, who took over as Superintendent of the striking force after M G Kaneriya was recently transferred to the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of the city, said,``Intensive patrolling has already begun at all approach routes to the city. About 10 hotels -- which have gained the notoriety of being spots of partying -- both in the city and along the stretch up to Dumas have been identified. Secret watch will be kept and surprise raids will be conducted by the department on Christmas and new year's eve at these places.''

He, however, did not name any hotels that the department planned to raid.

It may be noted that in a predawn strike at three hotels in the city last new year's eve, the prohibition police arrested five people and seized IMFL.

Also, besides the seven check posts that have been set up to contain liquor flow from Daman alone, many other have been opened at all roads leading into the city with round-the-clock patrolling, Puwar added.

Although this short-term measure is likely to succeed to a certain extent -- Puwar said, ``Though flow of liquor cannot be stopped completely, it will be controlled to a great extent'' -- the department doesn't seem to be looking beyond the next couple of weeks.