Hooch seized in Lambi, destroyed

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi/Muktsar, October 6

A raid was conducted by excise sleuths and policemen at Kattianwali village in Lambi and a huge quantity of hooch was destroyed. However, the accused managed to flee.

Such raids have been conducted in the past too and a large quantity of hooch has been destroyed.

Sources said a raid by nearly 12 Excise sleuths and about 70 policemen was conducted at 6 am along a canal at Kattianwali village today, which lasted till about 8.45 am. During the raid, 43 drums of hooch, about 200 tarpaulin sheets buried under the ground, with material used to prepare hooch, were found. These were “destroyed” on the spot. Besides, some illegal distilleries (bhathis) were damaged and pipes carrying water from the canal were recovered, they added.

One of the liquor contractors, who had lodged complaint to Excise officials, said, “We are suffering huge losses as the hooch prepared here is supplied at cheaper rates. We have lodged a number of complaints to the Excise officials and a huge quantity of hooch has been found every time.

However, those involved in this trade always manage to flee. May be they get information about raids in advance.” He said, “The quality of hooch is very poor and it can claim lives of consumers.” The contractor alleged, “Officers concerned too are unable to take any serious action because of the involvement of a senior political leader of this area.”

Inder Mohan, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Muktsar, said, “The raid was conducted today at Kattianwali village, but I am yet to get the exact details from the raiding team.”