SSP Doon dissolves SOG Rural over ineffective action against liquor mafia | Garhwal Post

By Arun Pratap Singh

Dehradun, September 3: After the much talked about incident of attack on journalist Yogesh Dimri by a well-known historian Sunil alias Ganja, who has been known as a liquor mafia and bootlegger for decades, the Dehradun district police has finally swung into action to crack down on the illicit trade in liquor in Rishikesh. It may be known that the trade and sale of liquor is completely prohibited within the municipal limits of Rishikesh city. However, there have been reports of large scale illicit trade in liquor in the city. Journalist Yogesh Dimri was campaigning against this and was consequently attacked by the liquor mafia Sunil Kumar alias Ganja and seriously injured. Widespread fear among the media circles and the people, forced the Rishikesh police and Dehradun district police to take serious notice of the incident and eventually a case of assault was registered by the police and Sunil Ganja was arrested.

Not only this, Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh has disbanded the Rishikesh Special Operation Group (SOG) ostensibly over its failure to curb the illicit liquor trade and the assault on journalist Yogesh Dimri by the liquor mafia. The SSP has expressed his displeasure over the assault on a journalist by the liquor mafia and the ineffective action against liquor smugglers. He has ordered the disbandment of SOG Rural, which has been attached to the Dehradun SSP office. Singh has announced that there will now be only one SOG in the district, reporting directly to the Dehradun SSP. In addition, the policemen and employees posted in Rishikesh and Raiwala police stations for the past 10 years will be transferred and sent to other police stations. The question also arises as to how a large number of policemen have been able to survive in Rishikesh for so long. Posting in Rishikesh is considered a creamy one, both in the police and the administration.

In this connection, SSP Ajai Singh also held a review meeting in Rishikesh, where the figures of this year’s drive against illicit liquor at Rishikesh police station were checked. It was alleged that many liquor dealers and liquor mafia have been arrested and put behind bars in the last 8 months. During this period, the police registered a total of 113 cases and arrested 111 smugglers. However, this drive has not been effective in curbing illicit liquor trade and smuggling and in view of this, the Rural SOG has been disbanded. It is now expected that more than two dozen police personnel from Rishikesh police station may be transferred soon. There is a general belief that the police are taking action following the escalation of the problem after the Dimri attack. In view of this, SSP Ajai Singh reached Rishikesh bus stand today and held a review meeting with the police personnel. During this period, the SSP noted that the performance of Rishikesh Kotwali police was better in catching liquor. Rishikesh police has arrested and sent to jail almost every second day in the last 8 months. During this period, the police registered a total of 113 cases and arrested 111 smugglers. However, SOG Rural has failed to take action against the major liquor smugglers. In view of this, the entire team of SOG Rural has been disbanded and attached to the Doon SSP office.

Talking to media in Rishikesh, the SSP informed that four cases have been registered in the case of fight between two parties in Indira Nagar case of Rishikesh. In one case, the accused Sunil has been arrested and sent to jail while in the remaining three cases, investigation is underway to track the named and unknown accused. After the investigation, action will be taken. He also claimed that simultaneously, a list is being prepared by identifying the smugglers who have been smuggling alcohol in Rishikesh area for the past few years so that they can be kept under surveillance.