Watch: Delhi Man Gets Emotional While In Line For Alcohol, Blames Police For Unruly Crowd

Since liquor stores opened up on May 4, there have been reports about absolute chaos outside the shops in cities across the country. People lined up outside shops hours before they opened and refused to heed any advisory, pushing each other, tripping over one another to get their hands on a bottle.

ANI

Amid chaotic scenes, a Delhi customer openly slammed the police force for their lackadaisical approach in maintaining discipline and order outside the shops.

In a video released by news agency ANI, a man expressed his anger towards the authorities and the police force.

He said that the cops arrived just five minutes before the liquor shop in Laxmi Nagar area was to open, even though a large number of people had started queuing up since the break of dawn.

PTI

He said he had been in the queue since 6:00 am. "Some of my friends have been here since 4:00 am. The shop was supposed to open at 9:00 am but the police arrived at 8:55 am... Till then, nobody was here to manage the unruly crowd."

"Who will be responsible if something untoward happens here?" he questioned.

#WATCH A man outside a liquor shop in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi says,"I'm here since 6 am. Shop was supposed to open at 9 am but police arrived at 8:55 am...who will be responsible if something untoward happens here? We've no issue with 70% tax, it's like a donation from us to country". pic.twitter.com/xnhycDLL4y

¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

The man said "We have no issues with 70 per cent extra tax" on liquor that the Delhi government imposed in a late-night order on Monday. "It's like a donation or a contribution from us towards the country," he told ANI.

In a revised order the Delhi government said it will impose a 'special corona fee' on alcohol sale which will be 70 per cent of the MRP.

PTI

He said the authorities keep blaming the public, saying people are becoming restless outside alcohol stores. "It is the duty of the police to be here and make the public aware about social distancing. But nobody is here.¡±

"Who will provide proper facilities for the security and protection of Delhi public," he questioned

There are around 850 liquor shops in the city, including those run by government agencies and private individuals.

In the order that allowed these shops to be reopened, the Delhi government instructed all shop in-charges and other staff to report at their respective shops at 7:00 am sharp.

The police on their part have been doing everything in their power to tame the crowds thronging the shops. Chalk circles were drawn for buyers to stand in, but the social distancing efforts were thwarted as people gathered. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has suggested that the timing for sale of alcohol is extended to avoid crowding at the outlets.

While some people are faulting the police for mismanagement of crowds, the other more glaring reality is people not giving two hoots about their safety in their desperation to buy alcohol. We all know that there is a pandemic, and we know what we need to do to be safe and keep others safe. So, is it only the responsibility of the police, and not the people, to make sure rules are followed? If the police is absent, are we okay we putting our lives and those of others - including our family members - in danger?