As part of efforts to prevent large-scale smuggling of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from Goa to Kerala, the Railway Police have formed a seven-member special squad to conduct surprise checks on long-distance trains.
The squad, headed by Sub-Inspector B.K. Siju, concentrates on Vadakara, Mahe, and Kozhikode railway stations and conducts inspections simultaneously with the support of the local police.
Squad members said the trial runs conducted in the district in the last two months had been a success, and that checking would be intensified to put an end to the illegal trade.
“During the trial checking, we managed to seize around 100 litres of IMFL from various long-distance trains. The accused, who had purchased liquor for local sales at a huge margin, were all charged under Section 55 (a) of the Kerala Abkari Act for illegal transportation,” said an officer attached to the squad.
He added that the squad had been watchful against illegal transport of pan masala and other narcotic products by trains.
According to Railway Police sources, more than eight cases were registered by the squad against suspected IMFL carriers in the last two months.
The seized consignments were handed over to the Excise Department after producing the samples before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I in Kozhikode, they said.
Limitations of RPF
The Railway Police decided to tighten checking, as the Railway Protection Force (RPF) had reportedly failed to address the issue and initiate penal action against offenders.
The limited legal powers of the RPF also played spoilsport. “Till recently, the number of people who were arrested in connection with illegal transport of IMFL consignments was quite low, but surprise checking squads literally changed the scenario,” said N.K. Mani, a civil police officer who is part of the squad.
“We even managed to arrest a Mumbai native on Tuesday who had been in the illegal business for years. Around 30 IMFL bottles were seized from him when he arrived at the Kozhikode station by West Coast Express,” he added.
“We even managed to arrest a Mumbai native on Tuesday who had been in the illegal business for years. Around 30 IMFL bottles were seized from him.”
N.K. Mani,
Special squad member
