Vellore range DIG N Kamini and Vellore SP Pravesh Kumar, who ordered the setting up of special parties, are hopeful of getting information about the culprits following interrogation of a suspected villager.

On Sunday, special police parties found all the houses in the tribal hamlet in the Alleri Hills deserted during a raid following the attack on policement, along with local Forest Department staff. The inhabitants would have fled into the nearby forest fearing reprisal from the police.

Camera fitted drones were now pressed into service in a bid to locate the distillers’ hideouts in the forest.

This area is notorious for illicit distillers attacking those acting against their interests, officials revealed. More than a month ago, distillers used country guns to fire on villagers who informed police about them. They also heavily damaged two-wheelers owned by villagers during the melee. Suspected police informers also falling foul of distillers is also known, sources said. Police sources revealed that hooch distillation in the area saw a steep surge following the closure of Tasmac outlets due to coronavirus pandemic.