In an effort to check the illegal flow of liquor and drugs during the election process, three units of the state Excise department comprising Mobile Squad, Narcotic Cell and Dimapur district Excise conducted a lightning raid in and around Dimapur and seized 4560 bottles of liquor.
An update from the commissioner of Taxes, H Atokhe Aye, stated that 24 persons were arrested and penalised under the relevant section of the NLTP Act of 1989.
It stated that with the announcement of the state assembly election 2023 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 18, the model code of conduct (MCC) for the election process has come into force.
To prevent the use of liquor and drugs as inducements for votes, the department has issued public notice for general awareness and cooperation.
The department has urged the public and local residential authorities to report any use of alcohol during the election campaign to the enforcement authority. In the event of any suspected activity such as stockpiling, location of illicit liquor godowns etc., the department has asked to convey information to its official on phone no. 8974318888.
It added that check gate vigilance and surveillance have been intensified and tightened. It informed that regular frisking operations of suspected vehicles would be the order of the day.
It warned that public as well as commercial and private vehicles carrying any kind of contraband would be penalised as per the law.
It also informed that all shops, restaurants, hotels, lodgings etc would be subjected to frequent checking and surprise inspections and warned that punitive measures would be initiated against the defaulters, which could lead to cancellation of trade licenses by the competent authority.
It further informed that there would be regular round the clock MVCP and STF patrol in all the districts.
The regulations and measures were issued to ensure an alcohol and drug-free electioneering process in the state. In this regard, citizens are requested to extend cooperation to the state Excise department.
