Jammu: 126 booked by Reasi police in last five months for illicit distillation and smuggling of liquor

JAMMU: Continuing its drive against illicit liquor, Reasi police with the arrest of three bootleggers including a woman during series of raids in Bhomag and Arnas of the district, claimed to have booked 126 persons involved in distillation and smuggling of illicit liquor in the past five months.
Sr Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, Shailender Singh said, "Teams of Reasi police station conducted series of raids in Bhomag area of police post-Jyotipuram and arrested two bootleggers in two separate raids while distilling and smuggling illicit liquor in Bhomag."
"In a surprise raid, one bootlegger identified as Pritam Singh, son of Chait Ram from Bladda tehsil of Bhomag in Reasi District was arrested from Bladda area while distilling illicit liquor."
SSP Mr Singh said, "A distilling unit along with 100 litres of Lahan destroyed on the Spot during the raid."
"In a similar raid, a police team from Jyotipuram raided in Sersundwan area of Bhomag and arrested a bootlegger Kirpa Ram son of Tegu of Sersundwan and recovered 04 litres of Hooch from his possession," SSP Mr Singh added.
Further SSP Reasi said, "Police team from Arnas raided and apprehended one lady namely Sunita Devi wife of Kaku Ram a resident of Kanthan along with 6.5 litres of Hooch which was being distilled by her."
"Concerned Police have registered cases under the section of 48-A 50 Excise Act, got registered at Police Station Arnas and investigation set in,'' SSP Reasi added.
Saying that Reasi Police has adopted zero-tolerance against illicit liquor, SSP Reasi said, "District Police Reasi conducted major strike against drug peddlers & illicit liquor distillation as well as its smuggling and have arrested 126 bootleggers in 110 FIR's registered under Excise Act in last five months."
"Police also have destroyed more than 6,000 litres of Lahan and seized more than 400 litres of Hooch, 620 Nips and around 100 bottles of illicit Liquor in last five months"
"61 cases against 74 offenders were registered against illicit liquor smuggling in district Reasi in the year 2020 and 84 cases were registered against 108 offenders in the year 2019 during the same period, SSP Reasi Mr Singh added.
Cautioning bootleggers, SSP Reasi said, "The action will remain continued till the clearance of every area of district Reasi from this menace and Reasi Police will leave no stone unturned to curb this evil from the society. "
"Police further appealed that people of Reasi should come forward and join the hands of the police in this fight for the betterment of society."