Thane Municipal Corporation Demolishes Illegal Hookah Parlours and Bars on CM Eknath Shinde’s Orders

Thane (Maharashtra) [India], June 27: Following orders from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) demolished over half a dozen hookah parlours, bars, and restaurants operating without permission in different areas of the city on Thursday.

The civic body’s deputy commissioner, Gajanan Godapur, said that a heavy police force was deployed in the respective areas during the demolition to prevent any untoward incidents.

“We have launched a drive to demolish illegal hookah parlours, bars, and restaurants under Thane Municipal Corporation limits. Around seven to eight such structures were demolished today and the action will continue in the future as well. These unauthorized establishments belonged to people involved in drug-related illegal activities,” said Deputy Commissioner Godapur.

Apart from this, the Anti-Narcotics Cell and Thane Crime Branch are also monitoring people involved in the sale and supply of drugs. Demolition action is also being taken against all illegal structures, including those where drugs are sold and purchased.

Earlier, Chief Minister Shinde directed the Municipal Commissioners and Police Commissioners of Thane and Mira-Bhainder to demolish unauthorized pubs, bars, restaurants, and drug-related illegal constructions across the city. This follows similar actions taken in Pune city on the orders of the Chief Minister.

After a video showing minors consuming drugs in the washroom of a bar went viral, CM Shinde ordered the Pune Police Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner to demolish unauthorized constructions related to drugs. Following this, the Pune Police raided and sealed a popular bar for allegedly serving drugs to minors, leading to the suspension of four police officials for dereliction of duty.