Balasore: A car carrying illegal liquor plunged into a canal near Brahmanda at Jaleswar in Balasore district while it was being chased by police.
The incident took place along State Highway No. 57 near Batagaon on Thursday night, after a police patrol team grew suspicious of a vehicle bearing a West Bengal registration number.
According to sources, the car was flagged down during routine patrol by Kamarda police, but instead of stopping, the driver accelerated in an attempt to escape. This triggered a brief but tense chase along the highway. The vehicle, reportedly loaded with country liquor, could not go far and eventually veered off the road, plunging into the canal.
While the car was recovered and 4 boxes of liquor have been seized, the driver and suspected accomplices managed to flee the scene. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the absconding smugglers.
The seized liquor has been handed over to the Excise Department for further investigation.
