Congress leader Mahesh Patel seeks action against big liquor traders in Alirajpur

Congress leader Mahesh Patel, who is state vice-president of the Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Vikas Parishad, has asked the police to take action against big traders in the illegal liquor business in Alirajpur. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said catching only small accused would not stop the trade. According to him, the police should reach those who run the network.

Patel claimed that thousands of cartons of liquor are sent out every day from several parts of the district, including Chhakatla, Bakhatgarh, Chandpur, Katthiwada, Bhabra, Sejavada, Nanpur and Alirajpur. He asked under whose protection and by which routes such large quantities of liquor are being taken to Gujarat and other areas.

He asked the Superintendent of Police to order an impartial inquiry into the sales records of liquor shops, the supply chain, and the role of contractors and factory operators. He also said the accountability of the station house officers concerned should be fixed.

Patel also referred to the action taken in Bakhatgarh. He said a large police force was present there, yet a poor man was made the accused. He demanded an inquiry into that person's financial condition and property, to establish whether he was involved in such a large business.

Patel welcomed the district's new Superintendent of Police and thanked the police for the action taken in recent days. He said that if the police act with resolve, the smuggling of illegal liquor towards Gujarat can be stopped. He also said he would back the Superintendent of Police in impartial action against big traders.