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Telangana: Cops troubling us, say coffee shops

During a press meet on Saturday, members said the cops were unable to control illegal activities in some places.

Hyderabad: Despite following court guidelines the police is harassing us, said the Twin Cities Coffee Shops Owners Association.

During a press meet on Saturday, members said the cops were unable to control illegal activities in some places and have forced a ban on all coffee shops saying they were supplying hookah. This will affect around 20,000 people, the association said. They appealed for a policy to regularise their activities.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy reiterated that serving hookah is strictly prohibited in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda.

Twin Cities Coffee Shops Owners Association member Mohit Krishnaiah said that as per court guidelines, hookah is not illegal. The court had made it clear that serving hookah is not illegal and it should be done in closed places where minors are not allowed. But police misinterpreted the court order and has imposed a blanket ban on coffee shops where hookah is served in closed enclosures. They demanded that as Hookah is a growing industry Telangana should regulate it.

Advocate Raju, who filed a writ on behalf of the association, said that cops are harassing coffee shop owners for petty reasons. “The Home Minister told the Assembly that coffee shops should have a trade licence and can serve hookah also. But we do not understand why cops are interfering in their business,” he said.

Commissioner Mahender Reddy said that there are strict orders from court against serving hookah in smoking zones and other public places. "Anybody can smoke in the designated smoke zones, but serving hookah is strictly prohibited," he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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