A senior Shiv Sena minister demanded on Tuesday that the liquor ban in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district should be lifted, arguing that it was leading to rise in sale of illegal liquor and related crimes.

The state government has imposed prohibition in three districts: Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. Sena leader and industries minister Subhash Desai pointed out that a police sub-inspector was mowed down by liquor mafia last week during a vehicle checking.