Rajhmundary, January 29: Decades ago, Gangalakurru Agraharam, Bandarlanka and Palagummi villages were known as the most picturesque locations in the Konasema region. Vedic scholars from Gangalakurru Agraharam were popular for their scholarly pursuits. The same places are now hogging the limelight, this time for wrong reasons. They are the hub of illicit liquor trade.
A visit to these villages revealed many a fact. Sources pointed out that as many as 3,000 people are involved in the production and sale of illicit liquor in East Godavari district with tacit support of political leaders, and personnel in the police and excise departments. The average business turnover of the illicit liquor in Kakinada, Amalapuram and Rajahmundry per day is to the tune of Rs 30 lakh.
Gangalakurru Agraharam had been the hub for manufacture of illicit liquor for the past one decade and Kamanagaruvu village in Amalapuram mandal and Gajulagunta village of P Gannavaram mandal were the subcentres of the trade. Local liquor traders have been getting illicit liquor from Yanam (Puducherry State), Gogulanka and Kattipudi villages for the past one year to meet the growing demand. Since these villages were located on a bypass road between Ambajipeta and Pulletikurru villages, people come to Gangalakurru Agraharam to have their daily quota of liquor and return to their respective villages.
If a cheap liquor quarter bottle costs Rs 60, the spurious liquor of the same quantity is being sold at Rs 20.
Most of the victims of the hooch tragedy were agriculture workers while the others are petty businessmen like tea stall or a paan shop vendors.
P Ramakrishna of Gangalakurru village was the prime accused in the illicit liquor trade and he had been running the business for the past 10 years without any problem.
He would procure the liquor and then mix it with methyl alcohol to give a kick. So far, about 10 cases have been booked against him in Ambajipeta police station.
The villagers alleged that Ramakrishna was also producing readymade liquor by mixing `some’ powder and methyl alcohol in hot water to brew a different type of liquor. Though the rank and file among the Excise department knew about this illegal trade they turned a Nelson’s eye for obvious reasons. They were more bothered about their regular mamools. Each time they book cases against the accused and allow him to get away with some fine. Ramakrishna had enjoyed the support and cooperation of the local political leaders of all hues.
The victims’ family members were demanding stern action against the Excise department officials also for the role played by them in the entire episode. SR Rao and Raju of Gangalakurru Agraharam village found fault with the politicians and officials, who were hand in glove with the accused, were now visiting the villages to console people.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (Excise) Janardhana Rao claimed that they have been seizing about 17,000 litres of illicit liquor, 70 vehicles used for the transportation and were registering 600 cases every month. They also claimed that they have arrested 500 people involved in the manufacture and transport of the liquor.
He said the illicit liquor mafia killed an excise constable during December 2004, who chased the accused in Godavari lanka lands. An attempt was also made against some excise constables near Satellite city eight years back. In Rajahmundry an Assistant Excise superintendent U Srinivas and inspector Madhumohana Rao were attacked by the mafia last year.
–Agencies