Manoj Banaita, Siraha, Feb 21 : Police raided illegal brewing outlets in Lahan – 16, Taregana Gobinpur and confiscated around 4,000 litres of bootleg liquor, raw materials and utensils used for producing hooch. police raided in about 100 houses. The liquor was estimated 1.5 lakhs in price.
According to an inspector of APO Lahan, Ganesh suwas Khatiwada, it has stepped up a campaign to dismantle the brewing outlets and discourage the production, supply and consumption of moonshine throughout the district. He informed that they destroyed the seized liquor in the presence of representatives of police, revenue office, civil society and journalists.
The bootleggers supply huge quantities of liquor to the market, but do not pay tax to the government as they are not registered with the concerned agency. They are not under the tax net like the registered alcohol industries.
Siraha police said the locals had supported the anti-hooch campaign as it was a leading cause of family disputes, domestic violence and other crimes so its a time to say ‘NO’ to illegal brewery.
Production, sale and consumption of hooch is rife in urban areas and among people who cannot afford licensed liquor. Studies show such liquor may be laced with methanol which could send the drinkers into coma and cause them permanent blindness immediately.
