Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: Excise Department arrested four persons including three women for running illicit distillation hubs and destroyed large quantity of illicit liquor and working stills.
As per official spokesperson, the sleuths of Excise Department conducted raids in villages Dhabwal, Tanda, Budhi, Lower Sakta Chak and Upper Sakta Chak, Muthikhurd. Khakyal, Parsochak, Shabbachak, Chartyala, Chakdrabkhan, Keengdayal, Maichak, Budhi, Jakhbardambra, Jerrai and adjoining areas of Kathua district.
Similar raids were also conducted in different areas of Jammu Division including Bishnah and Akhnoor. In Samba district, raids were conducted in Ramgarh area, Tanda, Botch Tanda and Saowal villages.
During the raids, the sleuths of Excise Department destroyed 7500 litres lahan, 530 litres illicit liqour, five working stills and 300 locally made illicit liquor pouches.
The team also arrested four persons namely Rani Devi, wife of Manohar Lal of Sikanderpur, Darinder Kumar, son of Gurmeet Lal of Saidgarh from Bishnah and Kuljeet Kour, wife of Jagir Singh of Tanda and Sawarn Kour, wife of Nirmal Singh of Nardi from Akhnoor.
All the arrested persons were booked under Section 48-A Excise Act and investigation is going on.
The team made the arrest under the supervision of Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive), Jammu, Mohammed Shahid Saleem and Excise Commissioner T Angchuk.
Meanwhile, the Department has also tightened its noose on overcharging and liqour parties’ being celebrated in different parts of State without obtaining permission from the Excise Department. All the hotels and banquet hall operators have been warned of strict action in case violation is noticed. Inspection teams have been activated and there will be no laxity for those who violate the law.
However, a naka on Jammu-Kathua National Highway was laid by the Excise sleuths and an amount of Rs 4750 was collected as fine from toll evaders.
Follow our WhatsApp channel