Bihar Police Capture Liquor Smuggler After Intense Encounter

Police Action Against Liquor Smuggling in Bihar

Patna, Dec 3: A liquor smuggler was apprehended in the Chhapra district of Bihar following a confrontation with local law enforcement.

Since the establishment of the new government in Bihar, police efforts to combat crime have escalated, leading to ongoing operations throughout the state.

The incident took place late Tuesday night at Durga Ghat, located within the jurisdiction of the Manjhi police station in Saran district.

The suspect has been identified as Ajay Rai, a known liquor smuggler.

Upon being ordered to surrender, Rai opened fire on the police.

Saran SSP Kumar Ashish reported that Rai sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the police's return fire, while another smuggler, Sukesh Kumar, surrendered without resistance.

According to the SSP, both individuals had arrived in the Manjhi area with a significant shipment of illegal liquor transported via boat.

"Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by the Manjhi police station chief secured the area. When the boat docked, the smugglers noticed the police and began shooting. The police retaliated, injuring Ajay Rai. Despite his attempts to flee, he was pursued and captured," Ashish explained.

The injured smuggler has been taken to Chhapra Sadar Hospital for medical care.

Authorities also seized two homemade pistols, four live rounds, and two spent cartridges from the scene.

This incident marks the third police encounter in just 12 days since Samrat Chaudhary assumed the role of state Home Minister.

With an increase in liquor smuggling incidents in Manjhi and surrounding areas, police are conducting relentless and proactive operations.

Investigations are underway to uncover the larger network associated with the arrested smugglers, with suspicions of links to liquor syndicates operating in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities are tracing the source of the shipment and its intended destination.

Recently, in Chhapra, police engaged with notorious criminal Nandkishore Rai, also known as Shikari Rai, who has seven pending cases related to murder, robbery, and dacoity.

Just 11 days prior, law enforcement had a confrontation with another suspect, Shivdutt Rai, in Begusarai.