Stones pelted at Excise team during liquor seizure in Odisha

An Excise Department team was allegedly attacked while attempting to intercept a pickup van carrying country liquor near Nayakbandh Chhak in Balasore's Soro. The team was pelted with stones on National Highway-16 when the Excise team stopped the pickup vehicle on suspicion of transporting illicit liquor. According to allegations, a group of youths who were allegedly escorting the pickup van confronted the officials and hurled stones at the Excise vehicle. They also allegedly rammed the departmental vehicle during the confrontation. Excise Team’s Vehicle Damaged A Bolero used by the Excise team sustained damage in the attack. Despite the resistance, the officials managed to seize a large quantity of country liquor from the pickup van and arrested one person in connection with the case. The incident has raised concerns over the organised nature of the suspected liquor transportation, particularly after allegations surfaced that another group was escorting the vehicle. Further Probe Launched Officials have launched an investigation to identify the others allegedly involved in the attack as well as those associated with the transportation of the liquor. The Excise Department is also probing where the consignment originated from and its intended destination. Further investigation is underway to establish the identities of the persons who allegedly attacked the enforcement team and determine whether a larger liquor smuggling network is involved.