Excise officials have chosen to turn a blind eye to the illicit liquor brewing business flourishing in flooded Saran district.

They are not conducting raids because of bitter past experiences. Saran excise superintendent Renu Kumari Sinha said: "In 2008, when a team of excise officials conducted a raid at Dilia Rahimpur village in the riverine area of Saran, a young boy had jumped into Saryu river leading to his death. Later, residents accused us of torturing the boy to death, which led to protests."

Sinha said the department was now waiting for floodwater to recede following which extensive raids would be conducted in areas where illicit liquor is brewed.

"We have come to know that some illicit liquor manufacturers moving in boats are manufacturing as well as selling illicit liquor. Men who manufacture liquor at Dilia Rahimpur, a riverine area in the southern part of Saran, are using boats in which they brew the liquor on hearths. The boats are stopped at certain points, where the liquor is sold to interested customers before they move on to another location. We have tried to identify and nab them but till now, there has not been any breakthrough," said the excise superintendent.

"As the floodwater has started receding now, excise teams would chalk out strategies to conduct raids," said the official.

Sources in the area said the liquor traders have changed strategy yet again with dipping water.

"Earlier, when water level was high, big boats would ply and stop at some locations to sell the spurious liquor. Now, smaller boats are being used in which young men, mostly teenagers, carry the spurious liquor for sale. The liquor is brewed in bigger boats stationed anywhere along the riverine area," said a resident.