Excise takes guard against liquor sales

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The excise department has geared up to battle the rising arrack sales  during the election season at Aryanad, Aruvikkara and Poovar which are infamous for arrack production. A dozen range level control rooms and special squads have been fielded  to hunt for individual brewers. In March, around 1,500 litres of wash was  caught from  the district.

“The individual brewers get business through word of mouth publicity. The arrack also costs as much as Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) but will be in demand as booze is vital for campaign workers,” said a Nedumangaud-based consumer who claimed to have secured arrack during Easter.  

The arrack sales happen using the forest cover on the banks of Karamana river. Catches are often reported at Paruthipara and Aryanad range too. There are pockets like Kuthukuzhi, Moonnattumukku and  Anakayattam Moola  which are infamous for brewing. The wash is hidden in sealed pots on river beds and is brewed into arrack at night to camouflage the smoke.  During  day time, consumers are sold arrack bottles.

“Areas like Kottakkakam which was infamous for arrack is not functional anymore. However, there are new spots where small-scale brewing happens,” said a senior official from Aryanad range.