However, not a single bootlegger was arrested

Black jaggery and other chemicals required for distilling liquor, totally measuring over 800 litres, was seized during the raid which went on for over six hours.

In a bid to arrest the bootleggers, they had cordoned off the entire stretch of vacant land between the crematorium at Bavdhan and Praj Industries.

However, according to the officials, not a single bootlegger could be nabbed as all of them fled after noticing them in action since evening.

Residents of the nearby areas alleged that over 20 illicit liquor dens have been operating from the vicinity for the last five years. Hindered by none, the bootleggers had constructed huge underground concrete tanks to store chemicals as well as the distilled liquor. 8220;They use the water from the nearby stream while distilling the liquor. Moreover, they dump the waste in the same stream which joins the Pashan lake causing a serious threat to the environment,8221; the residents said.

8220;We have been complaining to the Paud and Chatushrungi police who look after the area about the nuisance caused by these dens. The police often raid the liquor dens but the bootleggers resume their operations within a couple of days. Vandana Chavan had also raided the liquor dens in the area while she was the mayor. But all these proved futile,8221; the residents alleged.

Several senior excise officials, including superintendent D P Ikhar, inspectors S A Khan, R N Bhumkar, Bhalchandra Belvalkar as well assub-inspectors D S More, R V Nimbalkar, S G Raskar, H I Shaikh and S N Jadhav participated in the action.