Huge illegal liquor stock seized, one arrested along Assam-Nagaland border

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAJAN: In a major development, the Khatkhati Police seized 1,500 bottles of illegal liquor from a godown along the Assam-Nagaland border in East Karbi Anglong on Thursday. Police arrested one Bijay Pratap Singh along with an Alto car bearing registration number AS 05K 1865 while unloading liquor in the godown.

Earlier, this syndicate smuggled liquor in huge quantities but after a recent crackdown by Karbi Anglong police and excise department, they have changed tactics and turned to transporting small quantity, either by concealing it with other items or by use of private SUV vehicles and cars.

Liquor in the State of Arunachal Pradesh attracts less excise duty as compared to Assam and thus make its lucrative for smugglers and bootleggers. Moreover, the NLTP Act, 1989 which prohibits the open sale of liquor in Nagaland encourages bootleggers to smuggle liquor through well-organized syndicates into the State and sell at skyrocketing price.

Recently, the Khatkhati Police seized 220 cases of illegal liquor concealed within a secret compartment attached to the cabin of a truck. Earlier on May 8, a container truck smuggling 70 cases of illegal liquor concealed under a secret compartment was seized in Sarupathar of Golagaht district under similar circumstances.

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