A hooch hub, Hisar village on reform path

Tribune News Service

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, January 17

Notorious for hooch manufacturing and drug trade, Piranwali village, located barely 12 km from the district headquarters, is on its way to reformation.

A special drive by the district police has given hope to families affected by drug abuse. The police, after surveying nearly 200 families, identified 25 youths who were addicted to chitta.

ASI Seema Devi said, “A team comprising six members visits the village twice a day to give medicines to addicts and provide counselling to them and their family members.”

Cops launch drive to rehabilitate youth

• Piranwali village traditionally known for manufacturing hooch
• After a crackdown, some villagers took to drug trade
• As a result, local youth got addicted, which ruined many families
• Hisar police have launched a drive to rehabilitate addicts

Sharing the miseries of an affected family, she said 24-year-old Sonu (name changed) used to be a strong kabaddi player. “He got addicted to drugs about two years ago. He now weighs just 45 kg. His family has seen very difficult times.”

Piranwali is among 25 villages identified by the district police for this special drive against drug abuse. Hisar Range Inspector General of Police Rakesh Kumar Arya, who launched the initiative, said, “We have a road map for rehabilitation of the addicts. We have also have decided to get tough against peddlers and hooch manufacturers.”

Historically, the village was a settlement of migrants from Punjab. A police official said people here were traditionally known for manufacturing hooch. “The village was a major supplier of illicit liquor during prohibition two decades ago. After a crackdown on such distilleries, some villagers took to drug trade. Resultantly, local youth too got addicted.”

Dozens of cases were lodged against Piranwali villagers for selling chitta. “During Covid-induced lockdown in 2020, some villagers even revived their old profession of hooch manufacturing, but timely police action prevented it,” said the cop.