Patna: A police team conducting a late-night raid on an illegal liquor operation in Patna was attacked by a crowd attempting to free two arrested smugglers, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred late Monday at Yarpur Domkhana in the Gardanibagh area, after the Excise Department received intelligence on large-scale illegal liquor trade in the locality. Police and excise officials had jointly planned the raid.
During the operation, two smugglers were apprehended and several bottles of country liquor were seized. As the team was returning, a crowd gathered and tried to free the detainees, prompting a confrontation.
According to authorities, the situation escalated quickly as the mob surrounded the police and excise team, initially engaging in pushing and shoving before resorting to stone-pelting. Three to four officers suffered minor injuries, and a police vehicle was vandalised.
Reinforcements from multiple police stations arrived, forcing the team to temporarily retreat. Later, a coordinated effort involving additional forces allowed police to re-enter the area, disperse the crowd, and arrest two more individuals.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Sharma confirmed the arrests, emphasising that ongoing operations aim to apprehend all those involved in the attack. “Those who disrupt law and order will not be spared,” he said.
Residents of Yarpur Domkhana described a longstanding network of illegal liquor trade in the area, noting that previous crackdowns had only temporarily disrupted operations. Officials said the network is run by organised anti-social elements, who continue to operate despite repeated enforcement efforts. Police presence in the area has been significantly increased following the incident.
