MP govt steps up illegal liquor crackdown after Sagar tragedy; 1,554 cases registered
Bhopal, Sep 9
Madhya Pradesh has intensified its crackdown on the illegal liquor trade following the recent spurious liquor tragedy in Sagar in which several people were killed.
Police and Excise Department teams registered 1,554 cases and seized 12,107 litres of liquor during a three-day statewide enforcement drive till September 8, the Madhya Pradesh Police said in a statement.
The special drive, conducted from September 6 to 8, targeted the illegal manufacture, transportation, possession and sale of liquor.
Action was initiated against 974 people during the campaign, according to the Excise Department.
The figures showed a steady increase in enforcement action during the three-day period. As many as 475 cases were registered on September 6, followed by 525 on September 7 and 554 on September 8.
Liquor seizures during the three days stood at 3,096 litres, 4,729 litres and 4,282 litres, respectively.
Of the 1,554 cases 1,536 were registered under Section 34(1) of the Excise Act, 11 under Section 34(2) and seven under Section 49-A.
The intensified enforcement comes after the Sagar spurious liquor tragedy, which claimed several lives and brought renewed focus on the illegal manufacture and supply of liquor in the state.
The incident also led to demands for stronger action against those involved in the illicit liquor trade.
A senior MP Police official said the campaign was aimed at preventing illicit liquor from reaching consumers.
"Following the Sagar hooch tragedy, surveillance has been intensified and police teams are working with the Excise Department to identify the source and supply chain of illegal liquor," MP police said in a statement.
Sagar district was also covered under the special drive. Eight cases were registered there, including six under Section 34(1), one under Section 34(2) and one under Section 49-A.
Seven cases were registered in Sagar on September 7, involving five accused and seizure of 101 litres of liquor.
On September 8, one case was registered and 17 litres of hooch was seized. No action was reported in the district on September 6.
Another police official said enforcement would continue beyond the special drive.
"Strict action will be taken against those involved in the manufacture, transportation, possession or sale of illicit liquor. Police said that field-level surveillance and checking would continue to curb the illegal liquor network.
— IANS
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