🚨 Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon: An Elected Representative’s Fight Against Illegal Liquor and Alleged Official Suppression

Introduction: The Grievance That Won’t Close

In the Village Panchayat of Naugaon, Mirzapur, a battle rages. People fight not just against the rampant, illegal sale of spurious liquor. Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon has become a central struggle for many residents. It is also a fight against a system that allegedly prefers silence and closure over genuine enforcement. Smt. Abhiraji Nishad is a standing Member of the Block Development Council (BDC). She has lodged repeated grievances through the Public Hearing Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS). However, she encounters only a closed file and a report she describes as “categorically false and misleading.”

She submitted her latest grievance, IGRS Grievance No. GOVUP/E/2025/0131638, on 18/11/2025. This submission is not a new complaint. Instead, it is a formal and furious objection to the disposition of her earlier case. The reference numbers for those cases are GOVUP/E/2025/0115977 and GOVUP/E/2025/0106145. This ongoing struggle sheds light on a critical social and administrative issue. It highlights the perilous intersection of organised illegal activity, public health risk, and alleged corruption within enforcement mechanisms. This post analyses the core elements of Smt. Nishad’s objection. It also discusses the broader implications for governance and public safety in Uttar Pradesh.

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I. The Illusion of Resolution: Rebuttal of the False Closure

The most alarming aspect of Smt. Nishad’s current appeal is based on her allegation that the authorities arbitrarily closed the original grievance. The public staff falsely claims that she approves of the action.”The Excise Department’s report (Ref. No. 361/Eleven-EIB/IGRS/Mirzapur Charge/2025-26) explicitly states that they recorded her satisfaction with the action taken. She even provided her thumb impression as proof. (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon: A Local Struggle)

Smt. Nishad’s rebuttal is direct and backed by system records. Her official IGRS feedback, dated 29/10/2025, marks the case as “Not Resolved”. It includes the explicit remark, “not satisfied.”

This discrepancy points to a severe breakdown in administrative integrity: (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon)

• Fabrication of Consent: If the official report includes a false claim of complainant satisfaction, it indicates coercion. A potentially coerced thumb impression may appear. Alternatively, it may indicate a fabricated thumb impression. This reveals a profound institutional bias. The bias aims at achieving closure metrics rather than enforcing the law.
• Systemic Failure of IGRS: The mechanism meant to provide an integrated public voice (IGRS) fails. Field reports override the complainant’s system-registered feedback. This leads to a systemic failure. This turns the redressal system into a mere formality for bureaucratic disposal.

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II. The Failure of Enforcement Strategy: “The Lion’s Roar” Analogy (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon)

Smt. Nishad’s grievance goes beyond administrative deceit to challenge the competence and intent of the investigating Excise team. She describes the raid as a “formality, lacking any planned strategy, element of surprise, or confidential intelligence.”

Her recent reminder remarks perfectly capture the core issue. The main question is whether the vigilance team sounds the alarm bell before nabbing the culprit. Whether the lion roars before catching its prey.

This powerful analogy highlights two critical failures:

1. Lack of Professionalism: Effective raids on entrenched illegal activities—like the nearly dozen unlicensed liquor operations Smt. Nishad claims exist—require covert operations, intelligence gathering, and timing. The team’s approach was open. She alleges this approach was taken despite her warnings that the sellers were “alert.” This guaranteed the “no-recovery memo.”
2. Motive Questioned: The complainant asserts that the failure to recover illegal stock was intentional. It was driven by a “lack of planned strategy.” There was also a lack of dedication to the service. Furthermore, she explicitly links this inaction to the detrimental effect of corruption. She states that “concerned personnel are not interested in stopping this illegal activity” because of it. This inaction encourages illegal activity. It causes significant loss to the public exchequer by allowing the unchecked sale of illicit, untaxed goods.

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III. The Shadow of Intimidation: Allegations of Misconduct

Perhaps the most disturbing element of the appeal is the allegation of misconduct by the enforcement personnel themselves. Smt. Nishad, an elected public representative (BDC Member), alleges she was subjected to intimidation and threats instead of cooperation. (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon)

• Coercion and Threat to Public Office: The officers allegedly pressurized her not to submit another application. More seriously, they “threatened to arrange for my dismissal” from her BDC post. This is a severe allegation of misfeasance. It suggests that state officials used their position to silence an elected voice. This voice was speaking out against crime.
• Suppression of Truth: The motive, according to Smt. Nishad, was to “suppress the voice against the illegal trade and close the case.” This alleged action directly assaults democratic representation. It also violates the citizen’s right to petition the government for redressal of grievances. These rights are a core pillar of the IGRS system itself.

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IV. The Imminent Social Crisis: Addiction and Public Ruckus (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon)

The social consequences of this administrative and enforcement failure are starkly described by Smt. Nishad:

• Vulnerability of Minors: Unruly elements are actively “corrupting youth, causing addiction among minors (14-17 years old).” This points to a rapid deterioration of the social environment, placing the next generation at risk.
• Public Safety and Ruckus: The complaint notes that videos exist showing drinkers creating a ruckus in the area. This confirms the public disturbance caused by the illegal activity.
• Impending Tragedy: Smt. Nishad is essentially warning the government that the unchecked sale of poisonous liquor is a ticking time bomb. Her concern implies that the government may only take action after a tragedy occurs. The government follows the standard practice of suspending personnel only after incidents like multiple deaths from spurious liquor. Her repeated, proactive complaints are an attempt to prevent this reactive outcome.

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V. The Path Forward: A Prayer for Relief and Accountability (Fighting Illegal Liquor in Naugaon)

Smt. Abhiraji Nishad’s “Prayer for Relief” outlines a clear demand for accountability and genuine action, urging the government to:

1. Re-open the Grievance: Immediately reactivate the file (GOVUP/E/2025/0115977 / GOVUP/E/2025/0106145). Ensure it remains pending until action is delivered. The action should be concrete and result-oriented.
2. Order a High-Level, Impartial Inquiry: Investigate the conduct of the entire Excise team involved. Focus on the alleged threats. Examine the submission of the false closure report.
3. Deploy a New, Confidential Team: Form a new, competent enforcement unit. They will conduct a planned, surprise operation in “hidden identity.” Their goal is to finally and permanently shut down the illegal liquor operations in Naugaon.
4. Ensure Legal Justice: File an FIR against the illegal traders. Address the unruly elements who have targeted her family.

Smt. Nishad’s final warning is significant. She will stage an indefinite sit-in protest and hunger strike alongside victimised children and women. This underscores the desperation and severity of the situation. It changes the administrative appeal into a socio-political ultimatum. It demands that the rule of law and public welfare prevail over alleged corruption and institutional apathy.

This case critically examines the government’s commitment to the IGRS system. It tests the promise to curb illegal trade. It ensures the protection of citizens from criminals and possibly compromised enforcement officials.

Police must not depend on informers to search offenders of illegal sale of liquors