Port Blair, June 02: Bars and wine shops have been closed for some time. This is the time that bootleggers and makers of Handia and illicit liquor may try to take advantage of the situation. Keeping that in mind, the district police of North and Middle Andaman district has increased the vigil over habitual bootleggers and is continuously conducting raids and jungle searches.
Although the police stations are already stretched for resources because of the enforcement of ongoing COVID restrictions and deployment of additional staff for patrolling in Jarawa Reserve Areas, it has not deterred them for this important aspect, as bootlegging and illicit liquor is an area which may have implications on public health and general crime scenario.
In the month of May itself, more than 20 jungle searches were conducted and around 5000Litres of Lahan was destroyed during these searches. 19 cases for the violation of Excise Regulation have been registered in the district with an overall seizure of more than 125 bottles of various quantities of IMFL.
For regular surveillance over the habitual bootleggers, more than 10 history sheets have been opened and around 15 people have been booked under the preventive provisions of Cr.PC.
The police officers are also making appeal to general public not to buy or consume such illicit liquor and inform the nearest police station if someone around them is involved in such activities.