Jalandhar, June 11

The Excise Department, Jalandhar, has been conducting several raids under the Operation Red Rose for several months now. From April 1 to May 31, 30 FIRs have been registered under the operation and 32 persons have been arrested. Also, 2,59,525 kg of lahan has been destroyed from April to May.

In the last two days, major recovery was done by the department officials. It is to ensure the safety of consumers. “There are a lot of chemicals in the water with which lahan is being made, so, it is not safe for the one who consumes it,” said Dr Harsimrat Grewal, Assistant Commissioner (Excise), Jalandhar 2.

On Thursday, the excise sleuths and the police conducted a raid at the Mand area of Shahkot villages such as Thamowal, Rampur and Baupur. During the raid, eight unclaimed big tirpals (Tarapaulin sheets), each containing 1,000 kg lahan, (total 8000 kg of Lahan), five small tirpals, each with 500kg (total 2,500-kg lahan) were confiscated. A total 1,05,00-kg lahan was destroyed on the spot and two iron drums were also recovered.

Similarly, on June 10, a raid was conducted at the Mand area of Mehatpur Villages Veran, Bute Dian Chhanna and Dharme Dian Chhanna where confiscated unclaimed 13big tirpals containing 13,000-kg lahan, 11 small tirpals containing 5,500 kg lahan, hence a total of 18,500 kg lahan was destroyed on the spot and five iron drums and 1 vessel was recovered.

Last year too, the Excise and Taxation Department had intensified its drive to curb illicit distillation of liquor, as more than 100 persons had then lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor in Punjab’s Majha region.

The department had then raided several areas adjoining the Mand area along the Sutlej. “To ensure that people here don’t suffer any tragedy like this in future, we have been checking the areas where such illegal activities take place,” Dr Harsimrat Grewal said. — TNS