The discovery last week of 36 bottles of IMFL in the polytechnic canteen was just the confirmation needed of a steady clientele -- and regular suppliers -- in the campus. And though the discovery of the unlikely watering hole may have been dampened spirits a bit, students say consignments are still available.

This is something the Fatehgunj police, which is investigating the Polytechnic episode, too, admit. ``The canteen contractors, who were arrested, revealed during interrogation that the seized consignment came from Rajasthan'', says Inspector B D Tandel. ``The carrier usually dumped it somewhere near the Vishwamitri bridge, from where it would be picked up and ferried to the campus.''

Though in this case, the Polytechnic canteen was the destination for the consignment, Tandel does not rule out the availability of liquor at other points in the campus. ``Once the investigations are complete we will be able to say something more concrete'', he adds.

Students living in the 14 MSU hostels, however, mince no words about the availability of liquor on campus. But ever since the Polytechnic cache was discovered, they are playing safe. ``The pager numbers of some dealers are common knowledge. Just send a message and order your stuff and it's delivered right to the hostel'', discloses a resident student.

If that is too much of a hassle, just tap some of the larriwallas parked outside the hostel campus. ``You just have to take them into confidence. Once you win their confidence, supplies are no problem'', reveals another hostelite. ``The cluster of jhuggis just outside the hostel is an excellent cover for the clandestine activity.''

University officials try to link the availability of liquor on campus to the large number of students from other parts of the country. ``The majority of the 5000-odd resident students come from States where there is no prohibition. For some of them, drinking is normal. This creates a demand for liquor. To meet that demand there has to be a supply'', says one.

But both the police and the university authorities believe that to counter the menace, they have to work in close coordination with each other. ``We still abide by the rule of intervening only at the invitation of the university authorities. But so far as the liquor problem is concerned, there should be no jurisdictional probelms'', says Deputy Commissioner of Police Meera Ramnivas.

``In order to discover who is supplying the liquor, where it goes, who are the end-users, we have to coordinate with the university authorities''. That day may not be too far off. MSU Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane told Express Newsline, ``The Polytechnic seizure is certainly a cause for concern. We are trying to work out a system that will allow the police and the university authorities to work together and check such occurrences.''