EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, Nov 18: The Sena-Bjp government appears to be shielding the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police of Raigad district despite the official records showing that the two were informed about the sale of the spurious liquor in the district much before the tragic incident has so far claimed 26 lives. Several tribals were taken ill after they consumed khopadi, an illegally manufactured liquor in Khopoli last Saturday.

Official records, as well as the complaints submitted to the Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, have confirmed that both the Collector Raghunath Rathod as well as the police chief Vinod Lokhande were alerted about the possibility of the tragedy, but neither of them took any steps to prevent it.

``It appears that they did not take immediate action. So far, we have given them warnings, which will be recorded in their confidential records. After the Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar's inquiry, all those found guilty will be punished as per provisions of law,'' Joshi told media persons after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Joshi said Lokhande's report that the spurious liquor was being sold only since two days before the incident was ``unconvincing'' and added that ``it is hard to believe that the illegal sale was going on without the knowledge of police for so many days''. In fact the local Circle Inspector as well as the Deputy Superintendent of Police had submitted a report in this regard to Lokhande at least 15 days ago, but no action was taken by him.

While four officials – two each of the police and excise departments – the Criminal Investigation Department too will conduct a probe into the matter, Joshi added.

The CM also justified government's decision to announcing ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to families of victims and said the assistance was given as a humane gesture. He was reacting to Bal Thackeray's reported criticism of government's help to liquor consumers, which, he felt, amounted to encouraging such illegal practices. Joshi said he will speak to Thackeray in this regard and pointed out that most of the victims belonged to the Katkari tribe, one of the poorest group of people in Thane and Raigad district.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.