PANAJI: The Goa Excise Department is investigating the truck fire incident reported on June 17 near Dhargal on the Goa-Maharashtra border, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Assembly on Tuesday. The clarification came after AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva raised concerns over alleged liquor smuggling.
The truck, bearing a Nagaland registration, caught fire on the national highway and was reportedly abandoned by its driver. Police had earlier confirmed it was being used to smuggle liquor out of Goa.
Viegas questioned the lack of accountability on part of the excise inspector linked to the distillery suspected of supplying the liquor. Silva alleged the vehicle was part of a larger smuggling racket.
Responding to the concerns, CM Sawant said an inquiry is underway based on the police report. “If the probe confirms the liquor was sourced from a particular distillery involved in smuggling, the premises will be sealed and the concerned Excise officer will be suspended,” Sawant said.
He added that Goa Police are coordinating with Nagaland Police to trace the truck driver and clarified there’s no indication that the vehicle entered Goa from outside.
