Hooch sellers still at large

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 2: The South Dinajpur district administration has sought permission from the lower court to issue warrant against two hooch sellers ~ Chandan Sarkar and Tulsi Sarkar.It may be recalled that six persons died and many others fell ill after consuming spurious liquor at a bar-cum-restaurant in Balurghat, owned by the Sarkars, last Sunday. According to the South Dinajpur SP, Mr KK Mallick, three persons are still undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Departmental proceedings and investigation have also been started against the officials of the excise department, sources told The Statesman. Meanwhile, despite continuous raids, the police have so far not been able to arrest the owners of the bar.The police have urged the authorities concerned to seize the bank accounts of the accused, besides attaching their properties. “This would compel them to surrender,” the SP, said. The wives of Chandan and Tulsi were today produced in the court. The court remanded them in jail custody for 14 days, police said. “The samples seized from the bar and the houses of the accused have been sent for a forensic test to Kolkata,” a senior police officer, said. “The raids are on to nab the duo. The BSF officials have also been alerted as the duo might try to cross over to Bangladesh in search of safe shelter,” the SP, Mr Mallick, said.Residents of Balurghat have also demanded immediate arrest of Chandan and Tulsi Sarkar.The incident, meanwhile, has embarrassed the excise department officials of South Dinajpur.Questions are being raised as to how the bar owners managed to sell spurious liquor, keeping the excise officials in dark.