Hooghly, 23 September (H.S.): Badanganj Beat House police conducted a raid in Pandu village under Shyambazar Gram Panchayat in Hooghly district’s Goghat police station area on Wednesday following complaints of illegal production and sale of illicit liquor. During the operation, police recovered materials and equipment allegedly used for making illicit liquor from several houses and destroyed them at the spot. The action created tension in the area.

According to police sources, complaints had been received for some time about the illegal production and sale of illicit liquor in Pandu village. Acting on a tip-off, police from the Badanganj Beat House conducted searches at several houses in the area. Materials and other equipment allegedly used for brewing liquor were recovered from different locations. Small quantities of illicit liquor were also reportedly recovered from one or two houses. The seized liquor was later poured onto the road and destroyed, while the brewing materials were also destroyed at the spot.

As news of the police operation spread, several women from the area gathered at the location. Some local residents also supported the police action. Later, a few social workers reached the spot and spoke to residents, urging them to stay away from illegal activities such as the production and sale of illicit liquor.

Police also warned that strict legal action would be taken if complaints of illicit liquor production or sale were received in the area in the future.

Meanwhile, a local person allegedly involved in liquor production claimed that a lack of land and government assistance had forced him to depend on liquor sales to support his family. However, during the search of the house, police reportedly noticed a permanent structure, marble-finished interiors and expensive electronic equipment. This led to questions locally about the claim of financial hardship. However, the claim and the source of the property and assets could not be independently verified.

A section of local residents expressed satisfaction over the police action following the long-standing complaints. They said such operations should be intensified to curb the illicit liquor trade and assured the police of their cooperation against illegal and anti-social activities in the area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey