Stop action or face more deaths, liquor mafia warns UP's Azamgarh police

VARANASI: A liquor mafia based in Azamgarh has allegedly threatened the police to stop its action against the syndicate of illicit liquor suppliers otherwise the district will see more deaths.SP Azamgarh Ajay Kumar Sahni told reporters on Thursday that one Mulayam Yadav, who allegedly runs the syndicate of illicit liquor, threatened the police to stay away from the syndicate.“It has come to knowledge that Mulayam Yadav, a gangster who was involved in 2013 hooch tragedy that claimed many lives and was sent to jail, made phone calls to some police personnel with a warning that he can supply more spurious liquor to cause more deaths if police continue to chase him and hit his business,” said the SP.The SP added that the police were ready to accept the challenge. “We will ensure his early arrest and initiate NSA proceedings against him,” he added.Azamgarh recently witnessed many deaths in Raunapar area due to consumption of spurious liquor. According to official figures, as many as 15 people lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor. However, the locals claimed that 22 people had died.The SP said that so far 60 FIRs have been lodged and 47 persons, including kingpin and gangster Sanju Rajbhar have been arrested in connection with the Raunapar case.“During investigation, it came to light that Mulayam Yadav runs a syndicate of spurious liquor. He was sent to jail in 2013 hooch tragedy case in which many people lost their lives. He came out of jail and stared running the syndicate,” said the SP.In 2013 as many as 46 persons were killed after consuming spurious liquor in Mubarakpur area in Azamgarh district.