TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BELGAUM: With elections to the Karnataka Assembly around the corner and in its endeavour to check inflow of Goa liquor to Belgaum, the district administration in an intensified crackdown seized Goan liquor, vehicles and charas worth Rs 64.17 lakh between March 20 and April 24.
Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Belgaum Munish Moudgil, who has been personally supervising the campaign against inflow of Goa liquor in Belgaum district, said the seizure was the result of stringent measures jointly initiated by the district administration in cooperation with Belgaum District Police, Excise Department and State Lottery and Liquor Prevention Cell.
Expressing satisfaction over the seizure, Moudgil informed that 41 check posts, mobile check posts, random check posts and professors are working along with 400 officials deputed for the purpose.
“Combination of police, officials and intelligentsia is showing results and we hope that the illicit liquor menace from Goa will be kept on check. A special police team stationed in Goa is investigating the suppliers and those involved in this trade from Goa,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil expressed satisfaction over cooperation from Goa Police.
“Belgaum Police is maintaining close vigil at the border and taking necessary against action those involved in cooperation with other departments,” said SP Patil.
Giving details about the illicit liquor seized by Belgaum Police, he said liquor worth Rs 2.14 lakh was also seized from the district.
SP Patil also informed that acting against election code violence cases, Rs 2.30 crore worth cash and other goods worth Rs 75.6 lakh were seized from different places in the district, where 22 cases have been booked under Excise Act and 46 cases booked against different sections of law.
Deputy Commissioner of Excise K B Merunandan, who divulged details of the seizure, said seizures include 4,808 litres of Goa-made liquor, 30 litres of Urrack, 930 litres of miscellaneous brands, 230 litres of country liquor and 1,878 grammes of charas.
Besides, one truck, eight two wheelers, three cars, one Innova, one Tata Indica, one Mahindra Xylo, one auto and one jeep too have been seized by the officials.
“We have also identified eight habitual offenders from Goa,” stated Merunandan and added that necessary action will be initiated against all the offenders from Belgaum and Goa immediately after investigations are over.
