Illegal liquor trade thriving in Jalandhar

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 16

There is no stopping the illegal liquor trade running in the city. Areas where this trade is rampant include Ali Mohalla, Rasta Mohalla, Dhann Mohalla, Abadpura and Sant Nagar area.

Ward number 29 area councillor Minta Kochhar has claimed that the liquor mafia is selling whisky as low as Rs 20 a glass to poor consumers, the majority of whom are migratory workers.

Women are also part of the liquor mafia in Dhann Mohalla in ward number 20 and have openly stocked liquor in their homes, said reports.

“While vehicles carrying cases full of illegal liquor are openly moving in the area, the police have failed to nab any till date,” said a resident.

Councillor Des Raj Jassal of ward number 1 said: “Here, a bottle of liquor gets delivered faster than a pizza. Liquor sellers have given their contact number to their permanent clients. The delivery reaches them in a few minutes of a phone call. Liquor is even supplied on credit.”

Police Commissioner Arpit Shukla has mobilised officials to identify such gangs. He has urged residents to provide information pertaining to illegal trade in their areas.

Another accused held

The police have arrested Pawan, an accused in the Manish Luthar murder case, from his Rajan Nagar home on Sunday. Pawan is the relative of main accused Ujjagar Singh and was with him during the incident. Accused Vinod Pahadi and few others are still at large.