Visakhapatnam: As polls draw near, Excise wing gets busy

Visakhapatnam: With the polling date nearing, the illegal transportation of liquor and cash is picking up in the rural parts of the district.

While the police and excise departments have stepped up vigil over the past few days, gaps remains through which some leaders are trying to distribute alcohol and money to lure voters in the villages.

In spite of the staff shortage in the district prohibition and excise department, its officers have been successful in seizing liquor bottles and currency notes being dispensed in rural areas. With the support from local police officials, they have been trying to control the belt shops.

So far, the department has booked 16 cases on liquor shops and bars in the district from the date of implementing the model code of conduct. A total of `69.33 lakh in cash and 4.65 kg in gold worth `1.45 crore has been seized till Friday at various check posts across the district. On Friday, Rayavaram police arrested two persons for illegal transportation of liquor.

District Excise wing deputy commissioner T. Srinivasa Rao, “We are concentrating more on the flow of alcohol and cash distribution. Apart from three intelligence teams and two enforcement teams, rivals leaders also inform us about such activities. The department needs an additional 90 constables in the district.”

Collection of intelligence is the key for detection of cases for effective control of crime. Mr Srinivasa Rao has formed three teams in the district to gather and submit inputs on crime. Each team moves incognito in its area of operation and also keeps surveillance over suspects.

A three-member team is operating in the city, while a four-member team works at nine mandals around Gajuwaka. Another five-member team oversees 33 mandals surrounding Anakapalle. These teams of Excise department have the responsibility to prevent free flow of liquor during the election campaigns.