According to senior police officials, these arrests were made as part of the three-day drive to stop the sale of illicit liquor. “While some of the bootleggers arrested were listed in various police stations, around 150 of them are new faces,” said Vadodara District Superintendent of Police B S Jebaliya.

Dahod Superintendent of Police Vipul Aggarwal said, “Several women bootleggers are involved in it either because their husbands are also into the business or they have to look after their families.” He added that around 90 bootleggers have been arrested since Wednesday, of which 58 are listed bootleggers.

In Anand district, close to 150 bootleggers were arrested till Thursday evening. “We have arrested as many as 73 bootleggers listed under various police stations, while 87 are new to this illegal business,” said district Superintendent of Police A K Jadeja.

Bootleggers arrested in south Gujarat till Thursday

Surat district: total arrests 116, Males 53, Females 63
Navsari district: total arrests 45, Males 10, Females 35
Valsad district: total arrests 180, Males 80, Females 100
Tapi district: total arrests 121, Males 76, Females 45

Daughter of hooch tragedy victim ends life
A 20-year-old-girl, the daughter of a victim of the hooch tragedy, committed suicide on Thursday, reportedly after being told about her father’s death in L G Hospital.

The girl, Sita Thakore, drank acid in her shanty in Radha Krishna Nagar near Nagarvel Hanuman Temple in Amraiwadi area and died on Thursday night during treatment in the hospital.

The Bapunagar police have registered a complaint of accidental death and are investigating the matter. Sita’s father, Motiji Thakore (45), had died in L G Hospital on Thursday evening. According to her neighbour, one Raju Dabhi, Sita was disturbed after hearing about her father’s death and took the extreme step because of it.

... contd.