DIMAPUR, AUG 11 (NPN): Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav has stressed the need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and institutional capacity to effectively tackle illicit liquor and drug trafficking in the state.
According to a Lok Bhavan statement, Yadav made the remarks during a review meeting with the department of Excise & Prohibition on Tuesday at Lok Bhavan, Kohima.
He reviewed the department’s functioning, enforcement activities, revenue collection and operational challenges, and underscored its role in protecting public health and building a safer society.
The department outlined its mandate under the Nagaland Excise Act, 1967, Nagaland Excise Rules, 1972, Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, and related rules, besides the NDPS Act, 1985 and Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Presenting enforcement data from April 2021 to March 2026, the department reported cases under liquor prohibition and drug-related laws. Seizures during the period included IMFL, country liquor, poppy straw, opium, heroin, cough syrup and other drugs in capsule and tablet forms.
Excise revenue collection during the five-year period stood at Rs.22.51 crore, rising from Rs.3.17 crore in 2021-22 to Rs.5.92 crore in 2025-26.
The review also covered infrastructure development under the Excise Housing Programme for 2025-26, including excise offices at Phek and Peren and a bonded warehouse at Dimapur. The department highlighted drug awareness campaigns, seizure operations and destruction of confiscated drugs and liquor.
Key challenges identified included porous borders, manpower shortages, lack of cadre review since the department’s inception, discontinuation of inter-district check gates, outdated firearms, limited mobility and persistent demand for illicit liquor. The department said its personnel-to-population ratio was 1:6,000, compared with 1:2,000 in Mizoram.
The department’s future roadmap focuses on strengthening enforcement, combating organised crime, protecting public health, improving governance, increasing revenue, building personnel capacity and advancing towards a drug-free Nagaland.
Excise and Prohibition secretary T. Wati Aier and other officials attended the meeting.