Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 13 (NPN): In a major crackdown on illicit liquor trade, the Excise Department seized approximately 2,800 litres of suspected adulterated Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at the Kushiabill Interstate Excise Check Gate on July 11, 2026 at around 7:50pm.
Superintendent of Excise, Dimapur, Limatemsu Changkiri said the operation was conducted based on specific intelligence inputs. Two persons from Assam — Safikul Islam and Mrinal Sarma — were arrested.
The consignment, loaded in two trucks, consisted of 12 barrels containing the adulterated IMFL (weighing around 250kg), along with 10kg of colouring agents, a large quantity of empty IMFL bottles and carton boxes for repackaging. The total market value of the seized materials is estimated at Rs14–15 lakh.
Investigations revealed that the liquor was to be adulterated and repackaged upon reaching the destination. The consignment originated from Rangai Karbi Anglong in Assam and was reportedly headed to Maram in Manipur for delivery to an individual identified as “Raju”.
Samples of the seized items will be sent for chemical analysis and further investigation is underway.
Changkiri lauded the seven excise personnel at the Kushiabill check gate for successfully intercepting the consignment.
Asked about recent cases of illegal sale of alcohol in lounges, he informed that advisor for labour & employment, skill development & entrepreneurship, and excise, Moatoshi Longkumer, convened a departmental meeting at his residence following the incident and directed the department officials to intensify raids and search operations across various locations in a phased manner.
Meanwhile, advisor Moatoshi Longkumer thanked the department personnel and officials for successfully busting the suspected racket and expressed his appreciation for their dedication.
He also urged all to continue their efforts in curbing illegal liquor activities. Further, Longkumer advised the department to adopt more rigorous enforcement strategies. He stressed that promotions would be based on merit and performance and not seniority.