Dozens of local residents raided a mini-truck after the vehicle, loaded with alcohol, crashed into the road divider on Friday, setting off a scramble among locals who made off with liquor bottles.
The vehicle’s driver and the cleaner fled the spot. It is not clear how everyone got to know that the vehicle was carrying liquor. But as news of the cargo spread, dozens of people rushed to the spot. The video clip and photos of the public conducting their own raid caught attention of the district police headquarters, which rushed more police officers to the spot. But by the time the police reached, there wasn’t much left to guard.
Police said the incident involving an Assam registered took place near Kharhat Toll Plaza. Many people including women and children picked individual bottles; some went for cartons, according to a video clip that emerged on social media. “It was a usual accident at first site but as soon as the locals came to know about the liquor, they gathered in huge numbers and the looting of the liquor started,” a police officer said. Sadar sub divisional police officer (SDPO) Sushil Kumar said the police had started scrutinising CCTV footage and social media video clips to identify those who picked up the bottles. “All those involved in the loot will be arrested,” declared Kumar. He said the police was also searching for the vehicle’s driver who fled after the accident.
