After hooch deaths, 2,794 held in 16 days
JAIPUR: After a dozen of deaths in hooch tragedies in Bharatpur and Bhilwara, the excise department and police have come down heavily on people involved in the illegal business .
Between January 16 and February 1, 2,794 people have been arrested under the Excise Act, 14,768 raids were conducted, in which 1,665 heat furnaces were destroyed, around 10,00,000 litre wash has been destroyed, 4,093 cases were registered, 1,15,000 bottles of illicit domestic liquor were seized and six factories producing hooch were busted.
Excise Commissioner Joga Ram said a campaign against illegal liquor is being run on directions of the CM from January 16 to February 15. All the officials at state and district level are asked to take strict action.
“The chief secretary has also asked the district collectors to connect families involved in such trade with Navjeevan Yojna run by the social justice and empowerment department, under which alternate job is provided,” said Ram.
Police and the excise department during raids found that the accused had not spared even small children in the business.
“During raids in Bhilwara, Banswara and Chittorgarh many kids were found to involved in production of poisonous hooch. We have identified few such children. Along with other departments we are working for their rehabilation so that they can come out from this illegal activity and can have a bright future ahead,” said a police official, who didn’t wish to be named.
Last month, seven persons had died and three were critical after consuming hooch in Bharatpur. The incident was reported form Chak Samari village on January 14.
In the January end, five persons had died and six others were hospitalised after consuming spurious liquor in Bhilwara district.