Port Blair, Sep 11: In a major crackdown against bootlegging activities and the menace of illicit liquor, more than 1600 Litres of Lehan (fermented wash to prepare illicit liquor) have been recovered along-with other materials/utensils used for distillation of illicit liquor in PS Car Nicobar, Rangat Sub-division and Ograbraj.
To dry up the supplies of illicit liquor, as a part of zero tolerance against bootlegging, a strategy of jungle search and combing operation has been adopted. Accordingly, a number of jungle search operations have been carried out in the recent past. These operations have yielded excellent results in apprehending and recovering a major haul of Lehan.
During jungle search and combing operation carried out on 07th and 08th September 2022 at various places in Car Nicobar, Police trekked deep inside the forest and recovered around 800 liters of Lehan in several plastic drums hidden inside the woods along with utensils used for distillation. From Rangat Sub-division, in jungle search operations, around 650 litres of Lehan were recovered from the forest areas of Shyam Kund, Bakutala and Profulla Nagar, Betapur on 10-11 September 2022. Similarly, in the jurisdiction of PS Ograbraj, more than 160 litres of lehan were recovered. The recovered lehan was later destroyed on the spot.
Local residents highly appreciated the proactive action of the Police. In addition to strict enforcement, a mass public awareness campaign has been launched to wean away people especially the youth from addiction to alcohol by spreading awareness about the ill effects of alcohol/drug abuse. Awareness programmes on “Alcohol/Drug Abuse” are being conducted in Schools, with Community leaders and other stakeholders. A&N Police is committed to taking stern action against bootleggers, illicit liquor, drug peddlers and other illegal activities.
In this fight against illicit liquor, bootlegging and drug abuse, the public is requested to share information pertaining to any crime or other illegal activities with Police at 100, 112 and 03192-233077. The identity of the informant will be kept secret.
