Kolkata: 128 arrested for drink driving on Diwali eve

KOLKATA: As many as 128 people were arrested for drink-driving on Sunday night - up 80 odd each on Friday and Saturday. Cops said three reasons - a festive weekend, celebrations revolving around India's win against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup and the sudden change in weather - led to a steep rise in drink-driving cases. This is a 47% rise from last year (87 cases).
The huge rise in drink-driving cases over the last few days forced cops to carry out block raids across the city between 10pm and midnight on Chhoti Diwali. Though firecracker seizure was the primary target, cops said mere two hours was enough to nab 634 violators. While 107 of them were found drunk (the rest of the 21 riders were caught between midnight and 4am), another 144 were prosecuted for dangerous driving.
While 105 rider were found carrying more than two persons on bike, another 144 were found not wearing helmets. Last year, police had arrested 974 people on Chhoti Diwali.