Cuttack, May 12: The illegal production and trade of country-made liquor continue unabated in the Cuttack district, with villages like Bhiruda and Pansapatana under Tigiria Police Station limits emerging as key centers for the illicit activity. Authorities say liquor is being brewed in nearly every household, often hidden under wooden sheds.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team from the Athagarh and Cuttack Excise Departments conducted a massive raid in the region. During the operation, officials seized 2,240 liters of illegal country-made liquor and destroyed an additional 14,105 liters of fermented brew (commonly known as pocha). More than six excise officials were reportedly involved in the crackdown.
Sources revealed that Bhiruda and Pansapatana have effectively turned into cottage industries for illegal liquor production, with the illicit brews being smuggled both within Odisha and to neighboring states.
However, despite the scale of the operation, no arrests were made. Authorities confirmed that none of the key liquor mafia operatives were apprehended during the raid, raising concerns about the ongoing influence and reach of these illegal networks.
Locals and officials alike worry that without stricter enforcement and sustained action, the illegal liquor trade will continue to thrive in the region.
