After Majitha tragedy, Ferozepur admn cracks down on Illicit Liquor; 5,000 litres of Lahan seized
Ferozepur, May 14, 2025: In the wake of the recent tragedy in Majitha, where 21 people lost their lives and several others were hospitalised after consuming spurious liquor, the Ferozepur district administration has launched a vigorous crackdown on illicit liquor operations.
On Wednesday, a major raid was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Excise (ACX) Ferozepur Range Vikram Thakur and Excise Officer Rajnish Batra. The operation was conducted by Excise Inspectors Karandeep Singh, Romana and Gurpreet Singh, along with the district police led by DSP Sukhwinder Singh, SHO Jaswant Singh, and excise police teams.
During the raid in the Nihang Jhugge Wala village under the Ferozepur city circle, officials recovered 5,000 litres of lahan (fermented wash used for distillation) and 100 bottles of illicit liquor. Five FIRS have been registered at the Police Station Sadar against the accused.
DSP Sukhwinder Singh informed that continuous joint raids are being conducted by the excise and police departments to curb the production and sale of illegal liquor. He added that many homes were found running illicit liquor factories, and all recovered ‘lahan’ was destroyed on the spot, to avoid its misuse.
Excise officials highlighted that most illegal liquor manufacturing units are being operated on islands and riverbanks of the Sutlej River. Acting on a tip-off, surprise raids were conducted in several villages, leading to a significant recovery.
Ferozepur’s riverside areas have been notorious for illegal liquor production in the past as well. Despite multiple raids in the past, the practice continues unabated. Officials are now probing whether methanol—a toxic industrial alcohol—was being used in the liquor produced in these illegal units, as it was found in large quantities in the liquor consumed in Majitha that led to the fatalities.
To raise public awareness, the excise department has been making announcements in remote areas using auto-rickshaws, warning people against consuming illicit liquor. They have also urged the public to report any information about illegal liquor production or storage to the police or excise officials. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential. Habitual drinkers must refrain from consuming liquor from unreliable sources, especially from those involved in illicit brewing, which lacks quality control and safety.