Port Blair, May 11: The District police of North & Middle Andaman is conducting search in the jungle areas for illicit liquor. In the last week itself, police teams of Baratang, Rangat, Billiground, Mayabunder, Kalighat and Diglipur have searched the areas around tracks in jungles. During these searches, more than 1000 litres of Lahan (material under fermentation) has been destroyed by the police teams.

Due to the strict action by the police in recent months, makers of such illicit liquor have shifted base to jungles to avoid detection, but the police is taken all the measures to not let them succeed. Since the ANIIDCO wine shops and bars are closed in the district, it was quite expected that some anti-social elements would try to take advantage of the situation by making and supplying handia and illicit liquor. But the district police is taking a proactive approach to deal with the situation. Police is keeping close surveillance on bootleggers and is conducting regular raids.

The police officers are also making appeal to general public not to buy or consume such illicit liquor and inform the nearest police station if someone around them is involved in such activities.