Surat Police Faces Criticism Over Inaction in Curbing Liquor Smuggling in Olpad Taluka

Surat : The Surat police department is facing severe criticism following a series of raids carried out by the Gujarat State Vigilance team in the Olpad taluka of Surat district. The raids, which targeted the villages of Pariya, Admor, and Masma, resulted in the confiscation of a substantial quantity of country liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) smuggled from the union territory of Daman.

The raids have shed light on the apparent inefficiency of the local police, particularly the Olpad police station, in tackling the growing problem of illegal liquor activities within the region. The State Vigilance team’s proactive actions have raised questions about the role of the Surat district police in addressing the issue.

Darshan Naik, the General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), has been a vocal critic of the police’s handling of the situation. Naik has repeatedly written to the Gujarat Chief Minister and the Home Minister, urging them to take decisive steps to curb the rampant liquor trade in Olpad taluka.

Speaking about the raids, Naik highlighted the contrasting response from the authorities when similar actions are taken in different parts of Surat. “Whenever the State Vigilance team intervenes in Surat city, immediate action is initiated against the responsible police officers. However, in Olpad taluka, the local police officials at Olpad police station have faced no repercussions for their inaction,” Naik remarked.

Naik’s letters have drawn attention to alleged claims made by residents of Olpad, suggesting that the police officers at Olpad police station possess a “Direct Line” to high-ranking officials and ministers within the police department. This purported special connection has led to accusations of preferential treatment and a lack of accountability.

In his correspondence to Gujarat’s Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, Naik has called for a thorough investigation into the involvement of Olpad police station officials in the illegal liquor trade. He insists that those found to be directly or indirectly associated with the smuggling and sale of country liquor and IMFL should face appropriate disciplinary action.

Adding to the controversy is the alleged existence of an underground trade in sugarcane molasses within Olpad taluka, which the police are reportedly aware of. Naik’s persistent complaints to the Home Department have yet to yield concrete results, as the issue remains unaddressed. “The entire illegal liquor nexus operating in Olpad taluka has received no response from the authorities, despite my repeated appeals,” Naik expressed his frustration.

Naik’s demands include the immediate suspension of all police officials at the Olpad police station until a comprehensive investigation can be conducted to ascertain their involvement or negligence in tackling the liquor menace in the region.