19,500 ltr of lahan seized, destroyed

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 7

On the directions of Dr Harsimrat Grewal, Assistant Commissioner (Excise), Jalandhar-II, a raid was conducted at Baupur, Rampur and Thamowal villages in Shahkot block along the Sutlej river here on Friday. Last week also, a raid was carried out by the Excise Department in which a huge quantity of lahan was seized.

Excise Inspector Resham Mahi, Excise Department officials and police personnel searched and confiscated unclaimed 21 tarpaulins of lahan and approximately 19,500 litres of lahan was destroyed on the spot and four iron drums and four vessels were recovered.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of Excise Officer Harjot Bedi. A case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, was registered in this regard.

Dr Harsimrat said raids were part of Op Red Rose. “Raids are being conducted to control illegal manufacture and sale of illicit liquor,” she said.

Last week, Excise Department and police teams had destroyed 19,000 litres of lahan, besides recovering 180 bottles of illicit liquor, four iron drums, two rubber tubes, 19 plastic tarpaulin sheets, big iron drums and other utensils from the mand area of Veran and Dharme Dian Chhanna villages in Mehatpur block.

Officials of the Excise and Taxation Department stated the reasons for why such illegal activities were being carried out mostly along the Sutlej. They said villages were situated far away from residential areas and there was an easy availability of water as well.