Illicit liquor trade continues in Kattianwali despite raids

Despite numerous raids, hooch production continues unabated in the Muktsar-Fazilka district’s Kattianwali village, with authorities struggling to curb the illegal activity.

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The dense wild growth along the Abohar Branch Minor, between Kattianwali and Channan Khera, has become a major hurdle for excise officials and police, providing a haven for illicit liquor brewing.

In a recent raid on Sunday, a joint team of excise and police officials recovered 5,600 litres of ‘lahan’ (raw material used to make hooch), which had been buried under tarpaulin sheets. The material was destroyed at the scene, but the bootleggers managed to flee before authorities arrived, resulting in no arrests.

Authorities have faced repeated challenges in tackling this illegal trade, as the area’s inaccessibility, due to thick wild vegetation, allows those involved to evade capture. Sources from the Excise Department indicated that the hooch producers have a well-established network and are highly vigilant, making it difficult for law enforcement to secure arrests.

Liquor contractors have expressed concerns over the significant losses they incur due to this illegal trade. The area remains a hotspot for illicit liquor sales, with most raids conducted in the early morning hours proving ineffective.

DSP Lambi Jaspal Singh acknowledged the problem, stating that despite ongoing efforts, the culprits often manage to escape, and arrests cannot be made without concrete evidence.

When asked about clearing the dense vegetation, he noted that responsibility for that lies with the Department of Water Resources.