Bootleggers in Patiala tipped off before raids, claim locals

PATIALA: Local residents and members of panchayats of the villages located on the banks of the Ghaggar river in the Patiala district have accused the police of informing the bootleggers well before conducting raids on their illicit distilleries as not even a single arrest was made.

Nearly 3,100 litres of lahan (raw material used for making liquor) was recovered on Sunday from Achral Khurd and Marouri villages, notorious for bootlegging, in the Patiala district’s Samana

sub-division.

On Monday, the police confiscated 900 litre of lahan and booked five persons with no arrest. The locals alleged that the bootleggers got information about the raids from nearby police stations. “This has become a routine affair. The bootleggers left their houses well before the police conducted raids in the villages. Even as the recoveries are made, the culprits roam freely due to lack of action,” said Marouri sarpanch Gurmeet Singh,.

His son Palwinder said the bootleggers openly threatened even panchayat members with dire consequences if they informed police about manufacturing of illicit liquor.

Ranjit Singh of Achral Khurd said same is the case with their village as the business goes on unabated as the bootleggers enjoy patronage of influential people. Mavi Kala police station in-charge Swaran Singh said the accused manage to flee when police conduct raids near the Ghaggar banks every time.

In January 2019, two cops posted at the Samana and Mavi Kalan police stations were suspended for allegedly working in connivance with bootleggers.