Ferozepur, January 28: As elections are drawing close in Punjab, the flow of illicit liquor in the district has seen a spike.
On Friday, in a joint operation conducted by police and excise officials in the villages touching Pakistan international border, huge quantity of ‘lahan’ and illegal liquor was recovered.
Divulging details, SSP Ferozepur Narinder Bhargawa said, a tip-off was received that a huge quantity of ‘lahan’ and illegal liquor is being extracted in the border area which could be used during the elections. Reacting swiftly on this input, the raid was conducted and 1,01,200 ltrs ‘lahan’ along with 16 drums, 12 pots, 28 tarpaulins and 15 boxes of illegal liquor was recovered.
SSP said, as per instructions of the Election Commission of India, a complete ‘naka bandi’ has been imposed in the district for the fair and peaceful conduct of elections in the district and wherever any report of anti-social activities is reported, raids are being carried out immediately by the constituted teams.
He said that after the code of conduct till January 27, as many as 26 accused have been booked and 33 arrested under NDPS Act besides recovery of 5.661 kg heroin, 1.500 kg opium, narcotic powder, 7,550 habit-forming pills.
Similarly, under the Excise Act, 60 cases have been registered and 567 persons have been arrested and 707.90 ltrs illicit liquor has been recovered. He said that 89,870 ltrs ‘lahan’ has also been recovered. Another seven cases have been registered under Arms Act and 7 persons were nabbed with illegal weapons, apart from this 1 magazine, and 42 cartridges.
SSP said, Village Defence Committees have also been constituted to monitor the activities in the border areas and control the anti-social activities and the villagers, by holding meetings, have been asked to immediately inform the police about any anti-social activities. No anti-social activity would be tolerated during the elections, he added.
