Anakapalli Cops Step Up Drive Against Illicit Brew (Image Source: X)
Visakhapatnam: Anakapalli police have stepped up their drive against illicit liquor, following reports of the illegal brew killing 37 persons in Tamil Naidu during the last two days.
During the last year, Anakapalli cops have registered 842 cases, arrested 896 accused persons, and seized 7,696 litres of illegally distilled (ID) liquor. They also seized 17 vehicles and destroyed 6,57,970 litres of fermented jiggery wash used for manufacturing the illicit brew.
“Preparation of illicit liquor is not an organized business in Anakapalli, unlike Kurnool, Nandyal, and Godavari districts. It is a livelihood for some and part of the culture for those in tribal areas,” said additional superintendent of police (ASP) Anakapalli B. Vijay Bhaskar.
Speaking about the measures local police are taking along with the excise personnel, Vijay Bhaskar explained that the jiggery market in Tuni plays a major role in the manufacture of illicit liquor that caters to markets in Nathavaram, Chodavaram, Madugula, Payakaraopeta, and Kakinada.
The ASP said Anakapalli district has adopted a two-pronged strategy under Parivarthana-2 from April 15, 2022, the year new districts were formed in the reorganization of Andhra Pradesh.
He pointed out that awareness is being created among the Adivasi people to stop brewing the liquor for their consumption. Tribal people for whom making this brew is part of their livelihood, are providing financial assistance to start an alternate business.
Vijay Bhaskar said police have recommended that 207 such persons be provided a total ₹88 lakh loan. With this loan, tribal people have bought cattle or opened grocery shops and petty businesses after stopping the illegal distillation of liquor.
The ASP said such brew used to be widely consumed in rural and agency areas. But it had never been found in urban areas. Yet, they are taking precautions to prevent pilferage of chemicals from industrial areas, which can be used in preparing illegal liquor.
“There are 161 units in Pharma City, which use methanol and rectified spirit. We have held a series of meetings with them to ensure that they take extreme measures to prevent leakage of their chemicals,” he added.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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