Red alert on hooch in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The government on Wednesday sounded red alert following intelligence reports on the possibility of liquor lobby engineering hooch tragedy in the state during the time of elections. The red alert is  based on the report sent to the government by DGP Intelligence A Hemachandran, will remain in force till elections get over. The intelligence chief wanted the activities of enforcement officers who are suspected to have links with liquor lobbies,  to be brought under the scanner during this period.

The police intelligence wing had alerted the government that the liquor lobbies could engineer hooch tragedy to torpedo government’s liquor policy. Meanwhile, Excise Commissioner Anil X told DC that excise, police, forest and revenue departments would work in close coordination during this period. The officials have been given directions to intensify enforcement activities including vehicle checking, 24/7 monitoring,  raids in possible hideouts of those indulging in illicit liquor activities, checking arrival of illicit spirit from neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and intensifying patrolling in check posts.

The excise department has directed the staff not to take leave during election period.  More than 4000 excise staff will be on duty on the field during election period to check the activities of liquor lobbies.

Notwithstanding the decision to intensify vigil, the fact remains that the excise department is not fully equipped to check illicit spirit. Sources said the shutting down of bars had increased the flow of illicit liquor into the state. The department requires more modern gadgets like X-ray scanners, trained canines during raids, walkie talkies and other gadgets to improve detection of illicit liquor.