Liquor worth over Rs. 1 crore destroyed in Nagaland's Kohima

Kohima: Nagaland's Excise department on Friday destroyed 2,294 cases and 165 bottles of banned Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) suspected to be worth Rs. 1,06,43,270 at the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) dumping site at Dzürüzou, Meriema.

The cases were destroyed in the presence of Zhale-o Rio, the Excise, Sericulture, & Minority Affairs adviser, and Orenpomo Kikon, the Excise and Sericulture secretary, who is also in charge as the Excise Commissioner.

Speaking on the occasion, Zhaleo called upon CSOs, NGOs and church to reaffirm themselves in helping the Excise department implement Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 (NLTP) in the State.

Admitting that the excise department was not doing its job satisfactorily and hence was at the receiving end of public criticism, Zhaleo stressed that the department alone would not be able to implement the Act and required active support and cooperation from all quarters.

Mentioning that illegal goods were primarily smuggled in through national highway to Kohima and Dimapur, he pointed out that Nagaland was sandwiched between two neighbouring States that were not dry, and so there were chances of illegal import of IMFL into Nagaland.

Though bootleggers were indulging in the illegal trade of liquor for money, he said stressed "We, as a responsible society, cannot allow these people to destroy our youth" and called for "re-dedicating ourselves and continue to strive what is good for our people."

The adviser further urged both the police and excise departments to work in tandem, even as he urged the public and civil societies to help the departments in implementing NLTP in the State.

Kohima S Phyobemo Kikon, the Assistant Commissioner of excise (zonal) informed that the seizures were made by 3rd Assam Rifles on March 23, 2019 and the seized items were kept sealed by the excise department at Assam Rifles camp.

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