Gudumba mafia men attack Excise cops

Hyderabad: In what could be termed as an increasing attack against governmentt officials, the local Gudumba (illicitly distilled liquor) mafia attacked at least two members of a team of Excise Department on Tuesday. The mafia attacked the officials when they tried to destroy illegal liquor factories in Singareni Colony under Saidabad police limits, official sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, the officials stormed the makeshift Gudumba brewing centres on Tuesday morning and seized illicit liquor as well as raw material used in its preparation. The cops were injured following a brazen attack on them by the bootleggers. One of the officials suffered severe contusions and facial lacerations.

Excise personnel told newsmen that the liquor lobby sprinkled chilly powder before attacking the raid conducting team.

“A criminal case has been registered under various Sections of the IPC and Excise Act. Three women have been arrested. Raids are being conducted to nab the remaining culprits. As many as 200 liquor sachets were recovered from the gang. Effective measures are being taken to stop bootlegging of liquor,” said A Srinivasalu, Saidabad inspector.

It may be recalled a Dhoolpet-based gang of bootleggers, led by Pappu Singh, had killed prohibition and excise State Task Force constable Wahed Khan on September 4.

Sources also said that a police constable Ramesh, who was posted at Begum Bazaar police station was reportedly killed by the liquor mafia seven years ago.