A state excise department team was on Wednesday attacked by a group of people allegedly involved in manufacturing illegal country liquor here.

Five employees of the department, including the deputy excise collector of Malbazar, were injured in the attack and were taken to the super-specialty hospital in Malbazar.

A complaint has been filed with police. A probe is on.

On Wednesday morning, a 30-member team of the department led by Suprakash Mondal, the deputy excise collector, reached the Nepuchapur tea estate located on the outskirts of Malbazar town.

The team destroyed illegal liquor and seized some items used to make such liquor. While they were leaving the spot, they faced the attack.

“The team had information that a group of people were making illegal country liquor in the garden and selling it in the nearby areas. Such liquor can lead to health hazards and also amounts to a loss of revenue for the state government. That is why the raid was conducted. Suddenly, some people attacked the team,” said a senior official of the excise department

Mondal later said: “A mob carrying bricks, stones and sticks attacked us. They resorted to brick-batting. Five of us, including myself, were injured. We somehow managed to the garden.”

Mondal and three others suffered head injuries, sources said.

Last week, an officer of the state land and land reforms department faced an
attack in Dhupguri. A pick-up van carrying sand and stones illegally extracted from the area tried to take the officer away while he was checking the documents.