After Amritsar hooch tragedy, concern grows over illicit liquor dens along Muktsar-Fazilka border

Following the hooch tragedy in Amritsar district that claimed multiple lives, residents here are raising alarms over the unabated production of illicit liquor in Kattianwali and Chanan Khera villages, located along the border of Muktsar and Fazilka districts.

These villages have earned the dubious distinction of being “illicit liquor dens” over the years. The dense wild growth along the Abohar Branch minor has become a refuge for bootleggers, allowing the illicit trade to flourish undisturbed for years.

Despite multiple raids by excise officials and police, the authorities have failed to effectively dismantle the illegal operations. During most raids, officials discover ‘lahan’ (raw material used to prepare hooch) buried beneath tarpaulin sheets in the soil.

While the material is typically destroyed on-site, arrests remain rare as most of the accused flee before law enforcement arrives, said some residents of nearby villages. Some liquor contractors in the area have also complained to the authorities in the past, urging action as they suffer losses due to the illegal liquor trade.

Meanwhile, sources in the Excise Department have acknowledged the challenges involved. “The area is extremely difficult to access because of the dense wild growth. It is risky even during the daytime, and the smell of brewing liquor lingers in the air.

Those involved in this illegal trade have built an extensive network and closely monitor the surroundings, giving them enough time to escape when authorities approach. The liquor is distributed across nearby regions in packets,” sources revealed.

Sources further explained that most raids are conducted in the early morning hours, with a large contingent of police cordoning off the area, but with little success.

Vikram Thakur, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC), Faridkot, said, “We frequently conduct raids between Kattianwali and Chanan Khera villages and often recover ‘lahan’ in large quantities. However, actual hooch recovery is rare, and most suspects manage to flee. The thick wild growth continues to be a major hurdle.” Notably, Excise officials and police had once planned to clear the wild growth, but no action has been taken to date. They claim that the “problematic” land belongs to the Water Resources Department.

This area falls under the jurisdiction of both Muktsar and Fazilka district police.

recent recoveries:

5,600 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on January 19 this year

7,600 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on October 8 last year

15,500 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on July 25 last year

6,500 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on May 23 last year

15,000 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on April 24 last year

22,000 litres of ‘lahan’ destroyed on March 26 last year

Punjab