CP tells SHOs to bust illicit liquor rackets in 24 hrs

Ludhiana: Following the hooch tragedy in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, Ludhiana commissioner of police Rakesh Agarwal has directed all SHOs to raid and bust illicit liquor rackets under their jurisdiction within 24 hours. The commissioner has also directed that the SHO and senior officials concerned of that area would be responsible if any case of liquor smuggling comes to light.
Meanwhile, during this ongoing drive, the police have seized 2 lakh lt of ‘lahan’ and also 55 lt of illicit liquor on Saturday night. The police have arrested two accused, while their six accomplices managed to escape.
The arrested accused have been identified as Surjit Singh and Om Parkash of Rajapur village. The accused who are yet to be arrested are Gurcharan Singh, Soni, Paramjit Singh of Rajapur village, Gurnam Singh, Balvir Singh and Jagir Singh of Bholewal Jadid village.
The investigating officer, ASI Satnam Singh, said the police conducted a raid on the banks of the Satluj near Bholewal Jadid village following a tip-off. The police managed to seize 2 lakh lt ‘lahan’ and 55 lt of illicit liquor hidden near the banks of the river. The police managed to arrest two of the accused from the spot while their accomplices managed to escape.
A case under Sections 61,1 and 14 of the Excise Act has been lodged against the accused at Ladhowal police station.
Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal said that the Ludhiana police had initiated a special drive against illicit liquor. All SHOs have been directed to immediately start operations so the whole illicit liquor racket will be smashed in their areas within the next 24 hours.
Agarwal added that another special drive against the liquor smuggling was initiated on May 18. During that drive the police had managed to arrest 301 accused of liquor smuggling in 270 cases.