Nagpur: Three cafes — Soro Cafe, Nimbus Lounge and Hash Cafe — have been sealed for 30 days following a major midnight crackdown by Nagpur City Police under “Operation Thunder” in the Gokulpeth area under Ambazari Police Station limits.
The late-night action, which initially began as a raid against illegal hookah operations, soon turned into an emergency rescue operation after police and Fire Brigade teams allegedly found several people trapped inside smoke-filled locked rooms.
According to police officials, thick smoke engulfed the premises during the raid, creating panic among customers and staff members who were allegedly struggling to come out of enclosed sections inside the cafes. Police personnel, along with Fire Brigade teams, were forced to break open entrances at two establishments to rescue those trapped inside.
The simultaneous raids were conducted in the early hours of Monday under the supervision of Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal and DCP II Nityanand Jha as part of the city police’s ongoing anti-drug and anti-hookah enforcement drive.
Police sources further revealed that all three establishments — Soro Cafe, Nimbus Lounge and Hash Cafe — had earlier been issued notices asking the operators to explain why the premises should not be sealed for allegedly running illegal hookah activities. However, despite the notices, the cafes were allegedly found continuing operations during the latest raid. Following the repeated violations, police initiated strict action and sealed all three cafes for 30 days without issuing any further notice, officials said.
During the operation, police reportedly found a total of 84 persons, including customers, cafe operators and staff members, inside the three smoke-filled establishments. At Soro Cafe alone, 29 persons were allegedly found consuming hookah inside closed rooms filled with smoke. Police seized hookah pots, tobacco products and other materials from the premises.
Officials stated that action was initiated against the establishments for allegedly operating illegal hookah services and violating safety norms. Following the raid, all three cafes were sealed for a period of 30 days pending further investigation and legal proceedings.
Police officials said the operation was part of the intensified enforcement campaign launched by Nagpur City Police to curb illegal hookah parlours and prevent activities linked to narcotics and tobacco consumption in the city.
