DIMAPUR, AUG 3 (NPN): Intensifying its crackdown on illicit liquor, the state excise department registered 79 offences and seized around 3,480 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and canned beer during enforcement operations conducted in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts in July, 2026.
In a press release, joint commissioner of excise (NC) S Phyobemo Kikon said the coordinated operations carried out by the narcotic cell, mobile squad and district excise targeted suspected hotspots, including restaurants, bars and other commercial establishments.
Kikon said the drive resulted in the closure of some outlets and discouraged other violators, though some were suspected to be continuing operations clandestinely. The department also realised Rs 2.16 lakh in penalties during the month, which has been deposited into the government treasury. The seized liquor has been confiscated and kept in the malkhana pending destruction after approval from the designated destruction board.
Highlighting the department’s long-term enforcement efforts, Kikon said the excise department has been enforcing prohibition laws and combating illicit liquor and drug trafficking since the early 1990s despite constraints in manpower, logistics and infrastructure.
He said the department has registered several lakh offence reports since 1990 involving seizures of IMFL, illicit liquor, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. On average, Kikon said the department detects 13 to 15 cases every working day, translating to over 4,000 to 5,000 cases annually.
Kikon said the consistent rate of detection reflected sustained, proactive and intelligence-based enforcement rather than sporadic action.
The department warned operators of illegal liquor outlets to desist from unlawful activities, stating that surprise inspections and raids would continue.
The department also appealed for public cooperation and urged anyone with credible information on illicit liquor or drug-related activities to report the matter to joint commissioner of excise (NC) at 9436077829; superintendent (NC) at 9862658448; office no 6909316927 or office email jceexcise.nc-ngl@gov.in