KOTTAYAM: Taking into account the possibilities of illegal sale of liquor and drugs during Onam season, the district authorities of the Police and Excise Departments have decided to strengthen raids and checking across the district. A special task force will be deployed from August 10 to September 10 as part of the initiative, which will function round- the-clock.
Apart from the decision to act tough on the illicit liquor manufacturing mafia, a meeting of the officers concerned decided to organise awareness programmes to prevent the use of drugs among youth and children. Training will be given to conveners of as many as 154 anti-drug teams, on how to recognise the drug-using children and how to handle them.
The district Excise Department has put in place various measures to prevent the manufacture, sale, storage and trafficking of illicit liquor during festival season. Three units of Striking forces being led by Excise Circle Inspectors or Excise inspectors, will be formed to counter emergent situations, which will function round-the-clock.
The Excise Department will conduct joint raids in association with the Police, Forest and Revenue Departments to foil illegal liquor sale and drug peddling. Intelligence team, Shadow Excise and Women Excise teams will keep extra vigil during the season.