Liquor mafia attack Excise Dept officials

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 10

The Sadar police have registered a case against three alleged liquor smugglers for attacking government officials on duty and threatening them, here on Monday evening, near Bhunarherhi.

According to the complaint by Excise Inspector Daljit Singh, posted at Patiala, he along with ASIs Harpreet Singh and Amarjit Singh, and a constable Iqbal Singh, had information that an Innova vehicle and a Ford car allegedly loaded with liquor from Haryana would pass through Patiala. “When we laid a naka and asked the car drivers to stop, accused Tejinder Singh, a resident of Arnoli village, Surjit Singh of Parhorh village and five to six other unidentified persons attacked us and started abusing us,” read the complaint.

The accused threatened the excise and police officials of dire consequences and fled from the spot in their vehicles. Interestingly, the armed policemen turned mute spectators and did not dare to use their weapons in self defence.

The police have registered a case under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the IPC against the accused at Sadar police station. 

Sources say that Haryana liquor smugglers usually supply home delivery in Punjab at much less cost as compared to the Punjab liquor traders, and therefore the liquor traders from Punjab continue to inform excise officials about the same. In many instances, the excise officials allow the local liquor traders and their henchmen to hold illegal nakas, along with them to curb this smuggling.