Fourth fumble for interstate bootlegger

PUDUCHERRY: For the fourth time, excise sleuths, on Monday, seized rectified spirit reportedly smuggled by Kumaran of Commandanmedu, near Bahour, thereby preventing illegal transportation of arrack to neighbouring Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu.A team led by deputy commissioner(excise) R Anbazhagan seized 700 litres of rectified spirit hidden in an abandoned brick klin at Commandanmedu. Upon investigations, the rectified spirit which was stored in 20 cans, 35 litres each,allegedly belonging to Kuamran, was found along with a scooter at the site. The catch is valued at ` 1lakh.Already the excise department had three cases against Kumaran. The chargesheet was filed after inquiry,  but till now the cases are pending adjudication.Instances of smuggling of rectified spirit is common, especially near the Tamil Nadu borders. Even mobile units using vehicles are used to prepare the brew and sell it. In the recent past a diesel tanker with rectified spirit and cans in cars have been seized.Arrack is prepared by mixing the rectified spirit with four parts of water. It is then sold in bottles by affixing labels of popular IMFL brands.CCTV helps nab three chain snatchersThree persons were nabbed in connection with a chain snatching incident here on Monday.SP (North) N T Sivadasan told reporters that two motorcycle-borne men snatched a gold chain from a school teacher returning home in Sathya Nagar. The police managed to identify the culprits with the help of a CCTV footage. Orleanpet police station arrested the accused Sundar  on Monday. On questioning, Sundar confessed to the snatching. His accomplices Sabarinathan and Murugan  were also arrested the same day. Police recovered the chain from a person to whom Sundar gave it for `60,000.  Sundar was working as a mazdoor on a government farm. He was suspended from the four months ago for beating a co-worker.