With Tasmac shops shut, demand rises for arrack

TNN | Apr 14, 2020, 04.46 AM IST

Madurai: The demand for arrack has been on the rise among alcoholics as Tasmac outlets have been closed for the last three weeks due to the lockdown. Capitalising on this, many arrack manufacturing units have popped up in various parts of the state. As the lockdown has been extended till the end of April, police have stepped up vigil to crack the whip on arrack distilling, transporting and storing.

Ten illicit arrack cases were booked in Kanyakumari district on Sunday. Fermented wash was found at two places in Virudhunagar district and at one place in Theni district in the last 10 days. Police are also after bootleggers selling Tasmac liquor at inflated prices and toddy tappers.

Of the 10 cases booked in Kanyakumari on Sunday, it was found out in three cases that arrack was being prepared at homes using pressure cookers, giving a clear indication that brewing need not necessarily be carried out in distilleries or remote places under hiding. “Seizure in these 10 cases ranged from meagre volumes of two litres arrack,” a senior police officer. The number of incidents and cases are on the rise in the last four to five days.

“There is no formula or proper procedure to make it. They use anything available from fruits, fruit juice, sugar, jaggery and so on to make arrack,” the officer said, adding they also seized a few cans of fermented sap at a few places. Police have not been able to catch people red-handed while selling it, but have booked those brewing, transporting or storing it.

Kanyakumari district SP N Sreenath said that in addition to the prohibition enforcement wing (PEW), five special teams have been formed in the district to crackdown on arrack manufacture. Vigil has been stepped up in areas close to the Kerala such as Palukal, Kollemkode, Kaliyakkavilai, Marthandam and Kulasekaram.

In the past it used to be smuggled to Kerala as it was not consumed locally. “The special teams are on the job round the clock,” the SP said, adding that they are preparing a list of former bootleggers from the district. “They will be regularly checked by the police to ensure that they do not get back into the trade,” Sreenath added.

Two cases of arrack making were booked by the Virudhunagar district police in the last couple of weeks, in which four people were arrested and more than 200 litres of fermented sap was seized.