Rural police crack a whip on liquor smugglers

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, May 19

Following the directions of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to crack a whip on liquor smuggling, bootlegging and illegal distillation of liquor, the rural police have launched a campaign against bootleggers.

The orders were issued to check revenue loss to the already cash-strapped Punjab Government by such activity. In view of the Covid-19 pandemic that forced the Punjab Government to impose curfew restrictions bringing all economic activities to a standstill, causing huge revenue losses in the past nearly two months. The CM also ordered immediate action against those policemen who failed to check the illegal activity in their areas.

2-kg opium seized

The CIA staff seized 2 kg of opium and Rs 25,000 from two persons, identified as Rajwinder Singh of Katra and Karam Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh of Yamunanagar (Haryana). They were travelling on a scooter without (registration number), which was also seized by the police. Further interrogation was under way to detect the upward and backward links.

On Monday, during raids at different villages in the rural belt, the police confiscated 1,890 kg of lahan (hooch), 20 ltrs of illicit liquor and 149 bottles. Besides, the police also found two illegal distillery units in Adliwal and Nangal villages falling under the Rajasansi and Ajnala police stations here. Around 18 alleged bootleggers, including four women, fled the spot when police teams raided different places. Six persons were arrested.

The Bhindi Saida police team was attacked when it raided the residence of a notorious bootlegger, Onkar Singh. His wife and daughter-in-law, Jeeto and Pammi, respectively, allegedly threw bricks and stones at the police party and fled the spot along with Onkar Singh. The police recovered 360 kg of lahan from the spot. The accused fell a drum of lahan while escaping.

SI Jasbir Singh said the accused attacked the raiding police party and tore their uniforms. The police have booked them for interrupting a government servant from discharging his duties, under the Excise Act and destroying the evidence.

The police have started a campaign against liquor smugglers who were involved in smuggling liquor from other states and selling in the local market.

Police Commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill held a meeting with officials asking them to take strict action against the persons involved in the sale of illicit liquor. He asked them to prepare a list of repeated offenders and keep an eye on such persons.