Karwar: liquor from neighbouring Goa to pollbound Karnataka, especially on dry day on May 11, liquor shops situated within 5 km from Karnataka boarder in Goa are likely to be be closed.

It is common allegation that the political parties distribute huge quantity of liquor and money among people with an aim to buy their votes on the eve of polling.

In order to implement prohibitory orders strictly, the administration is mulling over ensuring closing of wine shops even on the other side of the state border (Goa) on the previous day of polling. Goa shares its borders with Uttara Kannada and Belagavi districts in Karnataka. The people living in the border areas can easily collect liquor from Goa even on dry days.

Therefore, at a joint meeting held in Karwar recently, the officials of Excise Department of Karnataka and Goa have shown keen interest in shutting down liquor shops in Goa, which are situated within 5 km from Karnataka border.

Excise Department deputy commissioner L A Manjunath told Express that the department has requested the Excise Department officials of Goa to order closure of such shops on their side on dry day. The latter has sought a communication from the state election office to their department head. Only after receiving the communication, they could take a decision on this request, he added.

The meeting was attended by Bengaluru joint commissioner Somashekarappa, Belagavi joint commissioner Y Manjunath, south Goa state assistant excise commissioner Satyavan, range officers of Goa and other officials.

As of now, inter-state checkposts at Majali near Karwar and Anmod in Joida taluk are under the surveillance of the Excise Department. The police and other officials are deployed for poll duties. Therefore, illegal transportation of liquor in bulk has stopped through the inter-state check posts.

At the same time, it is being transported through forest routes in Uttara Kannada district. To prevent this, both Karnataka and Goa excise departments have decided to conduct joint raids on these routs. According to officials, after the enforcement of code of conduct in Uttara Kannada district, the Excise Department seized about 2,500 litres of liquor, arrested 103 people and served notice on 25 people for involving in liquor transport.