Police crackdown on illicit liquor in district rural areas

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, Janury 18

The Amritsar rural police carried out search operations in different villages and seized a huge quantity of illicit liquor and lahan (raw material for making illicit liquor) here on Tuesday.

The raiding parties were comprised of 2 SP-rank officials (Jagjit Singh Walia and Amandeep Kaur), 9 DSPs, 12 SHOs and 300 cops. Besides, BSF jawans carried out raids in Ajnala, Attari and Jandiala Guru subdivisions.

SSP Amritsar (Rural) Rakesh Kaushal said the police teams seized 1.62 lakh ml of illicit liquor and 1,890 kg of lahan during the raids. A total of 13 persons, including two women, were arrested by the police. They were later released on bail. He said a search operation was also carried out in border villages in Attari and Ajnala subdivisions.

He said there were reports of manufacturing of illicit liquor in villages in view of the Assembly poll. He said those involved in the bootlegging would be taken to task.

Bootlegging is rampant in villages. The Punjab Police had launched a drive in villages of the state following the hooch tragedy that had claimed over 120 lives in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur villages in 2020. However, after a lull, the illegal trade started thriving again under the political influence.

Meanwhile, city police along with Punjab Police commandoes and SWAT teams also took out a flag march in sensitive areas in Zone-I here. Deputy Commissioner of Police Parminder Singh Bhandal said the flag march stated from Hall Gate area to Sultanwind Gate from where it passed through Sultanwind village, Kot Mit Singh Chatiwind Gate, Gujjarpura, Grain Market Bhagtanwala, Gate Hakima and Lahori Gate areas. The flag march also passed through Lohgarh, Haripura and Islamabad areas.

The police along with paramilitary forces also carried out checking of vehicles at checkpoints. He said using the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System app, the police identified criminal elements, besides checking the ownership of vehicles through the Vahan app.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.