Excise officials dismantled 5 furnaces used to make illicit raw liquor during coordinated raids in the forest areas of Sitarganj and Khatima. The operation also led to the destruction of about 3600 kilograms of fermented wash and the seizure of 190 litres of raw liquor.
The action targeted the manufacture, sale and storage of illegal liquor. 2 people were arrested during separate operations, and cases were registered under relevant provisions of the Excise Act.
Sitarganj raid leads to 3 furnace demolitions
An excise team from Khatima searched the forest near Jagtarpur village in Sitarganj. Officials found 3 illegally operated furnaces and destroyed them at the site.
The team disposed of about 2600 kilograms of fermented wash and recovered 115 litres of raw liquor. During another operation in the same area, officials arrested Naresh Pal, a resident of Khunsara, Nakatpura, Sitarganj.
Officials said Pal was carrying about 20 litres of raw liquor in 40 pouches placed inside a cloth bag. A case was registered against him under the applicable excise provisions.
Joint operation in Khatima forest
In Khatima, the excise department worked with the forest department to conduct a raid in the forest near Alavardi village. The teams found 2 furnaces operating beside a drain and broke them down.
About 1000 kilograms of fermented wash was destroyed during the operation. Officials also seized 75 litres of raw liquor from the surrounding area.
In a separate action at Alavardi village, the team arrested Saraswati Devi, a resident of Alavardi, Khatima. Officials reported recovering about 20 litres of raw liquor from a rubber tube in her possession.
A case was registered against Devi under relevant sections of excise law. The available details identify the arrests and cases but do not state any court finding on either matter.
Officials involved in the campaign
The operation was led by Brijesh Joshi, excise inspector for Area-02, Khatima. The participating staff included deputy excise inspector Jagdish Kumar, head excise constable Nitesh Bhardwaj and excise constables Deepak Chandra, Pankaj Joshi, Babita Rai and Rachita Pandey, along with Khatima excise personnel.
The department said the raids formed part of a special campaign being conducted on the orders of the excise commissioner and under directions from the Udham Singh Nagar district excise officer.
Officials said the campaign against the production and sale of illicit raw liquor would continue. No further arrests, seizures or court developments were provided in the available information.
Conclusion
The raids in Sitarganj and Khatima resulted in 5 furnaces being destroyed, 3600 kilograms of fermented wash disposed of, 190 litres of raw liquor seized and 2 arrests, with cases registered under excise law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where were the raids conducted?
The operations took place in the forest near Jagtarpur village in Sitarganj and near Alavardi village in Khatima.
Q. How many illegal furnaces were destroyed?
Officials destroyed 5 furnaces in total: 3 in the Sitarganj operation and 2 in Khatima.
Q. How much fermented wash was destroyed?
Teams destroyed about 3600 kilograms, including about 2600 kilograms in Sitarganj and 1000 kilograms in Khatima.
Q. How much raw liquor was seized?
The combined seizure was 190 litres. The teams recovered 115 litres in Sitarganj, 75 litres in the Khatima forest and about 20 litres from each arrested person.
Q. Who was arrested in the operations?
Officials arrested Naresh Pal of Khunsara, Nakatpura, Sitarganj, and Saraswati Devi of Alavardi, Khatima.
Q. What legal action followed the arrests?
Cases were registered against both people under relevant provisions of the Excise Act.
Q. Which departments took part in the Khatima raid?
The excise department and forest department conducted the Khatima operation together.
Q. Will the campaign continue?
The excise department said action against the production and sale of illicit raw liquor would continue.
