Karnataka mafia uses kids to smuggle illegal arrack from AP

Arrack has been banned in Karnataka since July 2007, but a huge mafia that is active in Yadgir, Raichur, Kalaburgi and in other Northern districts of Karnataka has been selling copious amounts of illicit arrack in the state.  

Arrack is produced by mixing CH powder in water, a lethal combination that has already claimed thousands of lives, particularly in Raichur district.

“Arrack is allowed in Andhra Pradesh, but we (Karnataka) have banned it. The mafia smuggle the ingredients to make arrack from the borders of Andhra Pradesh. So far we have filed about 359 cases,” said Timme Gowda, Excise commissioner.

The mafia tricks the police by making use of children and senior citizens to cross the border with the ingredients, and the authorities’ attempts to nab the real culprits who brew the illegal concoction have been unsuccessful so far.

Intermediaries who have been caught say that this has been their ancestral vocation.

“CH powder is sold at ₹500/- per kg. We sell it in small packets for ₹5 each. This is our ‘Kulakasubu’ (Work of our clan), we have no other means to earn our bread” Rajeev, a mediator.

The Minister of Social Welfare, H Anjaneya has assured these mediators that the department would be rehabilitate all those who give up this mafia.

“I’ll order for a detailed report. We can rehabilitate these victims and provide them with house or plot. We can counsel them and create awareness in them” Anjaneya said.

But so far not a single person has availed the benefit of the minister’s rehabilitation promise.