UP hooch tragedy fallout: Commissionerate Police issues advisory to check illicit liquor sale

Bhubaneswar: Taking stern note of the recent hooch tragedy in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand where spurious liquor claimed over 100 lives, the Commissionerate Police today issued an advisory to all DCPs and ACPs to curb illicit liquor trade in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The advisory assumes significance as the general elections are round the corner.

Senior police officials informed that usually the demand of liquor goes up during election and the Commissionerate Police has already started a special drive to curb such illegal manufacture and sale of liquor.
Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty informed that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, a special drive has already begun in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to arrest the habitual offenders, execution of pending warrants, and to conduct other enforcement activities.

“Usually the liquor demand goes up as it is used as a medium to influence the voters during elections. Clear instructions have been issued to all IICs to conduct special drives against manufacture and sale of illegal liquor trade,” said Mohanty.

Senior officials informed that special squads and quick action teams will be pressed into service to conduct raids at different places in the twin city.