New Delhi, (IANS) Thirty-six people were arrested here for drinking in public, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Tuesday.

Sisodia said 10 Excise Department teams formed to enforce a ban on public drinking which made the arrests on Monday.

The teams conducted raids at many places including the Karol Bagh auto market, Jamrudpur, Janakpuri District Centre, near Vikaspuri PVR, near Rajokri flyover, Kasturba Nagar and Pitampura.

Last month, Sisodia announced that those consuming liquor in public places would be arrested from November 7. The government had since been running an awareness campaign against public drinking.

Those arrested will face criminal proceedings and have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000, Sisodia said.

"The arrests should be a warning for all those practicing such behaviour. The Delhi government is committed to ban drinking at public places. No one will be spared if found drinking publicly," he said.

"It is not that we want to send people to jail. But due to drinking at public places, common people, especially women, feel unsafe."

Sisodia added that he had written to the Delhi High Court requesting 10 mobile magistrates so that a fine could be issued on the spot.

Public drinking attracts a fine of Rs 5,000 and double the amount if anyone creates nuisance in public after drinking.