32,000 ltrs illicit liquor seized in massive raid on Sutlej River Island
Ferozepur, September 25, 2025: Continuing its crackdown on illicit distillation and liquor sales, the Ferozepur Police and Excise Department carried out a major joint search operation along the Sutlej riverbanks near the villages of Ali Ke, Habibke, Chandiwala and Buggar Di Motor.
Led by DSP Sukhwinder Singh and Excise Officer Rajnish Batra, the operation was supported by Excise Inspector Manjeet Singh (Ferozepur City), SHO Aarifke, SHO Ferozepur City, SHO Ferozepur Sadar, and district police teams. Using boats to access the flooded river islands, the team discovered 15 large plastic tarpaulins suspended in the river and eight iron drums near the banks—together containing around 32,000 litres of fermenting lahan (illicit liquor).
The entire stock was destroyed on-site at a dry spot to prevent misuse. One person was arrested during the raid, and an FIR (No. 263 dated 25.09.2025) under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered at Sadar Police Station, Ferozepur.
Senior Superintendent of Police Bhupinder Singh Sidhu stated that additional suspects—Kala, Uma, Angrez, Bachan and Kuldip, all from Ali Ke village—have been booked and will be apprehended soon. He praised the coordinated efforts of the excise and police teams, calling it a decisive step against illegal liquor production in the district.
Added here, despite repeated crackdowns, villagers say the illicit liquor trade has become a generational lifeline in many border hamlets. With no meaningful rehabilitation or livelihood programmes in place, residents claim they are left to fend for themselves, and the illegal brewing continues almost unchecked. When police raids are launched, it is common for brewers to dump their liquor into the Sutlej and dive into the river to escape arrest. This entrenched tipsy tradition dating back to Independence, has taken root so deeply that even if a male family member is jailed, women often step in to keep the trade alive.
Anyhow, this operation marks a significant step in curbing the illicit liquor trade along vulnerable riverbank areas.