State

Major police operation in Udangi forest: 1,575 liters of liquor seized, 8 arrested

News On Time Desk 09 February 2025

The Sipat police of the district raided the Udangi forest of Dhaurakona and seized 1,575 liters of illegal Mahua liquor, which is worth Rs 4,72,500. In this action, eight accused were arrested, who were planning to supply liquor during the Panchayat elections. The police have registered a case under Section 34 (2) and 34 (1) (c) of the Excise Act and have started the process of sending all the accused on judicial remand.

SP Rajnesh Singh received information that some people are illegally making Mahua liquor on the river bank in the Udangi forest of Dhaurakona. This area is bordering Korba and Janjgir-Champa districts. On the instructions of the SP, the Sipat police formed three teams and conducted a raid. During the raid, the accused were caught red-handed making liquor. Shivkumar Dhanwar (195 litres), Sadharam Yadav (210 litres), Konda Kumar Dhanwar (210 litres), Dhaniram Dhanuhar (150 litres), Sanju Dhanwar (210 litres), Anjor Kumar Dhanwar (195 litres), Ram Lalla Yadav (180 litres) and Avadh Ram Yadav (225 litres).

The team arrived disguised as labourers
. To carry out the action in a better way, the policemen arrived in the guise of NTPC employees and labourers. Due to which the villagers making liquor did not suspect. The female police personnel were wearing the attire of village women. The police team had to work hard to dismantle this large network spread in the forest. The police destroyed eight quintals of Lahan present on the spot in the Lilagar river and seized the equipment used for making liquor. This year, 2,294 litres of liquor has been seized in 27 cases in Sipat police station so far, while taking action against 27 accused, which is worth Rs 6,16,300.