Kalighat police on January 20, 2026, destroyed more than 1,000 litres of illicitly brewed lahan during a major operation conducted in the dense forest area near Talbagan village, acting on specific intelligence inputs ahead of the upcoming Laxmi Narayan Mela.
According to police sources, a team from Police Station Kalighat was mobilised after receiving credible information about illegal liquor brewing activities taking place deep inside forested terrain. The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Station House Officer of Kalighat Police Station and involved a coordinated search effort by multiple personnel.
The police team launched an intensive combing operation that lasted nearly five to six hours, covering an estimated five square kilometres of difficult forest terrain. During the search, officers detected two concealed brewing sites that had been deliberately set up in remote locations to evade detection.
At the first site, police recovered approximately 465 litres of lahan stored in iron tins, plastic gallons and buckets. A second brewing location yielded an additional 560 litres of lahan found in similar containers, including plastic buckets, plastic gallons and iron tins. In total, around 1,025 litres of fermented wash used for brewing illicit liquor were recovered from the two sites.
No individuals were present at either location at the time of the raid, and no claimant or suspect could be identified during the operation. As per established legal procedures, the entire quantity of seized lahan, along with all containers used for storage, was destroyed at the spot after completing necessary documentation.
Police officials said the operation was conducted in view of heightened vigilance ahead of the Laxmi Narayan Mela, a period during which illegal liquor production and distribution often increase. The destruction of the lahan was carried out to prevent any possibility of the illicit liquor entering local markets during the festival period.
Following the operation, the Forest Department was formally informed and requested to enhance surveillance in and around the forested areas near Talbagan village to prevent the recurrence of similar illegal activities. Officials stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination in curbing unlawful brewing operations that often exploit forest cover.
The police stated that the operation demonstrated the commitment of N&MA District Police to enforcing law and order and ensuring public safety, particularly during periods of increased public gatherings and festivities.
Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate by sharing credible information related to crimes or illegal activities. Residents have been urged to report such information to the nearest police station or through emergency numbers 100, 112, or 03192-273344. Police assured that the identity of informers would be kept confidential and that suitable rewards would be provided for actionable intelligence.
The crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts by the district police to curb illicit liquor production and related unlawful activities across the islands.
