With the aim of making the district free of illegal liquor manufacturing and sale, the Thane Rural Police have hired a drone camera to locate illegal businesses in the area. This is an urgent move in wake of many deaths due to the consumption of illegal country liquor. The state government had also issued orders to close down illegal liquor businesses in villages,

Mahesh Patil, Superintendent of Police, Thane (Rural) said that they had started the drive from October last year. Committees at village, tehsil and district levels were formed to keep track of such shops and take regular action. Several meetings were held to make locals aware of the drive and get them involved.

To crack down on illegal units operating on the creek-side and hilly areas, the police have resorted to drone cameras which help them track such units.

Patil said that their intensive operations included 800 raids that helped them seize material worth around Rs 1 crore. In all, 900 people have been arrested and preventive action taken against 600. He added that the crackdown had helped close illegal liquor businesses in almost 90 per cent of villages.

Attempts were also being made to rehabilitate people affected by the move. Around 40 people had been able to get jobs in various companies in the area. Patil said that the rise in sale of liquor at licensed shops also indicate that illegal businesses are not in operation.