Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 26: Continuing their crackdown on illicit liquor, Odisha Excise officials conducted a raid on Salia Shai in Bhubaneswar on Monday, a known hotspot for illegal activities. During the operation, they seized a substantial amount of illegally produced country liquor and pocha (fermented rice), all of which were confiscated and destroyed. The raid also resulted in the seizure of raw materials used in liquor production.
This action follows a recent operation by the Commissionerate Police, which bulldozed four houses involved in illegal liquor manufacturing. In that operation, authorities seized 11,500 liters of illicit distilled liquor and 50,000 liters of pocha during a ‘Safe City’ drive.
The intensified raids come in response to the hooch tragedy in Ganjam’s Chikiti, which resulted in two fatalities and left 13 others, including seven in critical condition, hospitalized at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
Additionally, on Sunday, police and Excise departments destroyed 4,500 liters of fermented wash and 100 liters of country liquor near Balisira in Aska block, Ganjam district. A youth was arrested in Bira Narayanpur with 80 liters of country liquor, and another 4,000 liters of hooch were seized during a raid at Arakhakuda village in Puri’s Krushna Prasad block.
