Khammam: Though the excise and police officials annou-nced their achievement of preventing 100 per cent illegal brewing of gudumba, people and the government have suspicions of how long it will last.
Gudumba brewing has been around in various habitations for the last six decades. Just now the situation is under control but there is no saying what would happen if the officials withdraw their vigil.
The government declared Khammam district as gudumba free on December 8 and the drunkards shifted to cheap liquor due to non-availability of arrack.
About 2,439 cases have been filed for brewing arrack and 2,064 persons were arrested to achieve gudumba-free district. Four kingpins of arrack have been arrested and sent to jail.
Cases under IPC and CrPC have been booked against 2,094 persons, who sold the material for brewing arrack and helping the brewers.
The brewing of gudumba is simple and cheap. Because of it, many take it up to earn profits in less time. The persons who were engaged in the system did not know the harm caused by it.
K. Anita, a women’s rights activist said, “The evil may revive at any time if the officials lower their vigil. Gudumba is considered a woman’s worst enemy as thousands of women have become widows due to this evil The illicit gudumba brewers are waiting for a chance to get back to their activity.”
The PD Act is being implemented in the district to check the illegal brewing.
There are 262 gudumba brewing villages in the district and they are being scrutinised minutely.
There are informers keeping vigil continuously and they tip off the police once they detect something fishy.
