Trinath &Roopa Lall
Baratang, Mar 15: Today in two cases of seizure of IMFL at Baratang area the police team of Baratang was able to seize 131 bottles.
In the first case, as per sources, during regular night checking yesterday by Police team of PS Baratang on suspicion, a truck belonging to CCS Port Blair bearing registration number AN01J0854 was checked, in which the Police team recovered 100 bottles of 750 ml of IMFL hidden in 04 cartons among other ration articles.
Andaman Sheekha reporter in Baratang adds that all 100 bottles of IMFL were seized and the driver of the said truck was booked under relevant section of excise regulations. However a formal update from police unit is still awaited.
In yet another case during the morning hours the Excise Team of PS Baratang on a regular checking to curb the transportation and illegal sale of IMFL recovered 31 bottles of 750 ml of IMFL from the possession of a person which was seized and the person was booked under relevant section of excise regulation.
The efforts to seize huge amount of liquor just before elections from the entry point of Middle Andaman by Police Department has been highly lauded by the public of the region.
Meanwhile, when Andaman Sheekha contacted the Secretary of CCS Mr. R P Singh and asked whether CCS is directly connected to this illegal smuggling of liquor, Mr. Singh said that the name of the driver is Mr. Manohar Ali and CCS has no involvement in this case. Infact when he got call from SHO Baratang, on behalf of CCS, he requested the SHO to take action against the driver as per law.
“The CCS has no link with this crime. The Driver might be involved in this case on his personal level,” he said.
Mr. Singh said that he is waiting for a report from SHO Baratang after which the driver will be put under suspension and action will be taken against him as per law.
As per Mr. Singh the Truck was carrying ration item for Baratang and Rangat, which after seizure, was transferred to another truck and was sent to Rangat Zone.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Andaman Sheekha’s Middle Andaman Correspondent, the Deputy Commissioner of N & M Andaman, Mr. Awanish Kumar, IAS, requested not to make this news a political issue. “Its a crime.. And steps as per law will be taken..culprits will be booked for the offence. FIR was immediately lodged,” he replied in his text message.
