Illegal liquor shops mushroom in Digboi

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, Aug 29: Mushrooming illegal liquor shops in the form of hotels and dhabas have been a great concern in Digboi, where nothing  significant has been done by the department concerned to tighten the noose on the vendors. Large-scale manufacturing, circulation and consumption of  liquor in the open market in the heart of Charali bazaar and other areas in Digboi like Railgate areas, Borbil, Ramgar, Bogapani, zirating, Powai , Golai and Muliabari has raised serious questions pertaining to the existence and operations of the Excise Department, particularly in the wake of the ensuing festive season.

According to a resident at Ramgar, large quantity of illegal country-made liquor is being manufactured daily and sold in the open market, which not only vitiates the local environment but its easy access also has been paving way  to open hotels and promote the sale. According to him, though police and excise department raided and demolished several units and seized the materials along with the products several times earlier, the miscreants maged to escape the legal hammer and have restarted their illegal activities.

Meanwhile, a senior forest official in Digboi said that organized gambling on a large-scale was also being held at several locations of Digboi, including Lachit gar, Golai, Powai and Muliabari areas where youths hailing from decent families and employees of the Indian Oil Corporation, contractors and businessmen take part. According to him, a group of youths provides avenues for the gamblers to play on commission basis. “After a recent raid by Digboi Police and apprehensions of a few earlier from the campus of the Digboi Forest Range Office, now the venue has been shifted elsewhere,” added the source.