BELONIA/AGARTALA, April 29 (TIWN): The manufacturing of country made liquor at Ratanpur ADC village under Belonia Police Station is on rampant. But the police officers are not taking any steps to stop the illegal business.

According to sources, most of the houses at Ratanpur ADC village are engaged with manufacturing of country made liquor. But the police are playing the role of mute spectators regarding the issue instead of taking any strict action against the culprits.

People with money are always able to get their favourite drink, thanks to bootlegging which is rampant in the state. But it is the poor people who are vulnerable not only to alcoholism but to another threat – the threat of death posed by liquor manufacture illegally. The poor, who cannot afford the expensive brands of alcohol, have no option but to turn to hooch for their daily fix. And in doing this they run the risk every day of meeting an untimely death.

Sources in the police said that fresh faces have entered the bootlegging world and these newcomers were trading mainly in country liquor. The new operators are either the close aides of more influential bootleggers or those who are trying their hand at the illicit trade because the veterans are currently under police watch.