Excise to launch special drive ahead of polls

KOCHI: With the poll dates announced, excise sleuths in Ernakulam will be launching a special drive to check the inflow of illicit liquor into the district. A special squad will be constituted to prevent illicit liquor brewing in rural areas, and patrolling will be strengthened across the district. Excise department will also conduct joint patrolling operations with the police, revenue, motor vehicles, health and forest departments to curb smuggling and probable black money transport ahead of the polls. The drive is expected to begin by March 20.
Joint excise commissioner (central zone) N S Salim Kumar said the excise commissioner had given specific orders regarding the drive in every division. “Election period often witness heavy inflow of illicit liquor from other states. Alerts have been issued to border checkposts. Considering the chances of smugglers bypassing checkposts, we will monitor vehicles and cargo movement within the district,” he said.
Even though the number of illicit arrack brewing centres in the district has come down gradually, the officials said temporary set ups might come up at rural areas, especially those near forestlands. Hence combined combing operations will be carried out in association with forest officials.
The department will also join hands with the Coast Guard to keep vigil along the coastline. “Liquor smuggling is often done using seaway as fishing boats will be under scanner of enforcement agencies. So, we are in talks with Coast Guard officials to launch a combing drive in the sea,” Kumar said.
“The excise department will join railway protection force to conduct search operations at railway stations to monitor passengers and cargo transport. Separate units of striking force will also be deployed round the clock to act in case of any untoward incident,” he added.