Gurpreet Singh :- A joint operation by the Excise Department and Punjab Police has exposed an illegal country liquor manufacturing unit in the Bir Talab locality of Bathinda, an area often considered vulnerable to drug-related activities. The raid led to the recovery of a significant quantity of illicit liquor and raw material used in its production.
According to officials, the illegal operation was being run secretly from a piggery farm located in agricultural fields. Acting on specific information provided by the Excise Department, the police team conducted a raid at the site and discovered equipment used for brewing liquor along with a large stock of illicit alcohol.
During the operation, authorities seized nearly 100 litres of lahan, a fermented mixture commonly used in the preparation of country liquor, along with around 100 bottles of ready-to-sell liquor. Officials also recovered a furnace and other tools used in the distillation process.
Investigators revealed that a portion of the material used for brewing was buried underground in an attempt to conceal the activity. The secluded nature of the area reportedly allowed the accused to run the illegal trade without drawing much attention.
However, the main suspect managed to escape from the spot during the raid. Police officials stated that his identity has been established and efforts are underway to arrest him soon. Strict legal action will be taken once he is apprehended, they added.
Local sources said the accused is believed to work as a typist in court premises, while his wife reportedly serves as a member of the village panchayat. Residents of the area claimed they were unaware that such illegal activities were being carried out at the location.
Authorities noted that incidents involving illicit liquor have previously led to serious health tragedies in Punjab, including multiple deaths. In view of such risks, enforcement agencies have stressed the need for strict action against illegal liquor networks operating in the state.
