TEAM GNH/CANACONA
The Excise licenses and the smuggling trade via State borders from Cotigao wildlife sanctuary in Marle is existed since more than 30 years. According to the locals from the Marle village the trade was existed since Portuguese regime and licenses were issued by the first government formed post liberation.
Meanwhile, Canacona Excise officials have claimed that three to four licenses are issued in Marle village in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, and are yet to verify permit to transport inflammable substance (liquor) from the sanctuary.
Speaking to GNH Shamba Naik, Excise Inspector said, “We shall summon the individuals named by Canacona Police and verify the facts. We are yet to uncover the entire syndicate”.
The locals from Marle village at the condition of not disclosing their names have said that the villagers were frustrated due to the smuggling trade which has been happening since decades.
“The smugglers feel that the trade is their culture and right as no one had dared to taken action against them since decades. We dont want our future generations to carry out this trade from our village which will malign the name of our village”, said one of the villagers.
Another villager said that the traders who smuggle are not even from own village but from a neighbouring village of Poinguinim.
“Even if they are legal establishments, but how they abet the smuggling which is a concern of the neighbouring State and their economy. We demand the authorities shall keep vigil over such illicit activities and stop the illegal trade from our village, a villager said.
Pavan Tubki, an activist from Canacona has said that decades old illegal trade was shielded by the authorities and no one had dared to challenge and apprehend the culprits.
“I appreciate the prompt action by Canacona SDPO to who is an IPS. I demand that such illegality of manufacturing illicit liquor and smuggling in the neighbouring States should be stopped and the concern authorities shall keep strict watch over the establishments”, said Tubki.
It may be recalled that Canacona Police seized alcohol worth Rs. 10 lakhs on Thursday early morning, which has been handed over to the Excise Department.
The operation was spearheaded by DySP Tikam Singh Varma (IPS) who led the Canacona police team in raiding three illicit dens operating near the Goa-Karnataka border.
Goa Wildlife Warden and local village panchayats have raised their voices against the illicit liquor smuggling through Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden of Goa, Umakant (IFS) has asked for a report from the concerned Deputy Conservator of Forest on the Rs. 10 lakh worth alcohol seizure inside the sanctuary.
Both Cotigao and Ponguinim village panchayats while applauding police for their work, urged them to maintain the same vigil in future too.
