Kerala Excise Minister Tightens Border Surveillance Amid Hooch Tragedy

Kerala Excise Minister M B Rajesh has ordered intensive surveillance and raids across the state to combat the flow of spurious liquor following a hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu. The minister emphasized the importance of monitoring all vehicles entering Kerala and has deployed additional personnel and special teams to high-risk districts such as Malappuram and Kollam.

Kerala Excise Minister M B Rajesh on Saturday directed officials to intensify surveillance and raids statewide to curb the availability and flow of spurious liquor following a recent hooch tragedy in neighboring Tamil Nadu.

Officials have been instructed to ensure rigorous inspection at checkposts and border areas. Additional personnel have been deployed to monitor all incoming vehicles, with suspicious ones being subjected to thorough checks, Rajesh stated.

In an emergency meeting, the Excise Commissioner reviewed the ongoing situation, as directed by the minister. Special teams have been assigned to districts like Malappuram and Kollam, which have a history of spurious liquor incidents.

The excise department will collaborate with various departments, including police and forest services, in these border areas. Minister Rajesh also called for public cooperation in these enforcement activities.

The recent hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in 53 deaths as of Saturday.

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