Leave Madhya Pradesh or face jail: CM to Congress leaders over liquor mafia links

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has issued a stern warning to Congress leaders allegedly linked to the illicit liquor trade in the state, saying they should either leave the state or be prepared to go to jail.In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the CM vowed strict action against the liquor mafia, asserting that his government would not spare anyone involved in criminal activities, irrespective of political affiliations.The warning comes days after a police officer was killed and a constable injured while attempting to intercept a truck carrying illicit liquor in Dewas district on November 2.The incident has triggered a major crackdown on the alleged liquor smuggling network operating across the state. Khategaon police station in-charge Dilip Puri was allegedly run over by the truck driver near Narmada Dhaba at Sandalpur crossing on the Indore-Betul highway while trying to stop the vehicle.He later succumbed to his injuries. Constable Sohan Jat was also injured in the incident. Police subsequently seized more than 1,800 litres of illicit liquor allegedly being transported from Timarni in Harda district to Gujarat.Three suspected members of the smuggling network, including alleged operator Rahul Jaiswal, were taken into custody, while the truck driver and cleaner remain absconding.Raids are underway across five districts to identify and arrest other accused.The incident has also triggered a political confrontation between the BJP and Congress.While Congress leaders accused the government of allowing liquor mafias to operate under political protection, the BJP alleged that a Congress leader was connected to the network.Puri's wife had also reportedly named a Congress leader, alleging that her husband had received threats from him during his posting in Sendhwa.Leader of the Opposition, Umang Singhar, questioned the government's failure to dismantle the liquor syndicate, while former chief minister Kamal Nath described the incident as "an open declaration of the murder of law and order in the state".Congress state president Jitu Patwari also questioned the government's handling of the illicit liquor trade.Meanwhile, CM Yadav has ordered an impartial investigation and announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for Puri's family.He also directed that the deceased officer's wife be appointed as a sub-inspector on compassionate grounds. The family has demanded a CBI probe and stringent punishment for those responsible.With investigations into the liquor network continuing, the government faces mounting pressure to establish accountability and demonstrate concrete action against the alleged mafia-politician nexus.- EndsWith PTI inputs