Cuttack: A special squad of Commissionerate Police raided 13 hookah parlours in different areas of Odisha’s Cuttack city for allegedly using suspicious and contraband substances.
“Hookahs, 141 pipes and 152 packets of flavour were seized. Further verification is on,” said Cuttack DCP PInak Mishra, adding that the raids on Saturday night were conducted on specific information.
While hookah parlours claim that they only use herbal materials, the seized material revealed the presence of nicotine.
According to reports, hookah parlours are being run in a clandestine manner at Jail Road, Mahatab Road, Jobra Road, Khapuria Labour Colony and CDA-Sector 10 localities of the city and these are often frequented by students.
In 2022, three hookah parlours inside a mall were shut down after a girl reportedly lost her sense while visiting one at Jail Road.
