Rajpura turns hub of raw material for illicit booze, dhabas under scanner
RAJPURA: Even as the hooch tragedy in Majha has started a political war of words, it is in Rajpura in Patiala, where one finds that illicit liquor trade has spread and flourished across Punjab. The stakeholders in the chain are transport operators, dhabas and liquor mafia, and of course, political patronage.
The modus operandi is to smuggle (Extra Neutral Alcohol) ENA, which is the primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages. Trucking companies with contracts to supply raw material to Banur, Rajpura and Ghanaur pilfer between 200 and 500 litre of ENA from every truckload and store it in dhabas. By the end of the day, a full truckload of 20,000 litre has been collected. The liquor mafia purchases it to manufacture illicit liquor.
“ENA costs Rs 52 per litre and has 70% alcohol. It is the basic raw material for every hard drink. For human consumption, you have to dilute it to 40% alcohol by mixing water, and giving the flavour of your popular whisky or desi brand by adding ready-made flavours and colours,” said an officer dealing with an illicit liquor factory busted in Rajpura during lockdown.
He added, “The mafia packs ENA as Royal Stag whisky at a cost of Rs 40 per 750ml. They sell this at Rs 400 per bottle in the illicit market. At an authorised vend, the genuine brand is available at Rs 500. This kind of trade is on for eight years.”
“They supply ENA in every part of Punjab, apart from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and even Delhi. The mafia bribes the opposition.the names of two prominent leaders, from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as well as BJP, one of whom has contested elections has surfaced during investigation into affairs of the illegal liquor factory,” he added.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu, who was till recently heading this post in Patiala, said he has vital details, but could not reveal these as he is now shifted. “There was role of transporters operating in liquor factories in the hooch trade and dhabas. Some of them have been arrested now,” he added.
Those from the region arrested in connection with the case are Prem Singh, owner of Azad transport and his associate Bhinda.
Those booked are Jhilmil Dhaba owner Harjit Singh alias, Bittu, another transporter Rupinder Singh, alias, Bittu, owner of Green Dhaba on the Rajpura-chandigarh Road in Zirakpur, apart from Harpreet Singh, who is emerging as the one operating this nexus on the behalf of politicians.