Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, December 6
EXCISE Department Dimapur on Saturday destroyed seized narcotic and other drug items worth Rs 1 crore and 90 lakhs 28 thousand and 300 hundred (Rs.1, 90, 28, 300) at Excise Directorate, Dimapur. The drug items which were seized between July 27 and November 6 this year were destroyed in the presence of district magistrate, judicial officer and church member. The destroyed items include cocaine, heroin, brown sugar, opium, ganja, spasmo proxyvon, Nitrosun and cough syrup.
Commissioner of excise Maongwati said Nagaland being in the ‘golden triangle’ is the transaction location for drug dealers. To curb the menace, the state government has formed District Prohibition Committee (DPC) in all districts which would be headed by the respective deputy commissioners, members from NBCC/NMM and other government officials.
Maongwati Aier then made an appeal to the state government to recruit 200 more personnel so as to let the excise department perform efficiently in executing their duties. There are altogether 264 existing excise personnel in the state.
He also commended the personnel of the department for executing their duties efficiently despite lack of man power.
Stating that alcohol was a “giant killer” ending the lives of thousands of people, Maongwati pointed out that the fault lies not with the consumers but the suppliers. He lauded Assam government for declaring February 22 and 23 as ‘dry days’ with the objective of curbing inflow of liquor into Nagaland during assembly election. Maongwati disclosed that 364 persons involved in 340 election related cases were held for “possession or selling” of alcohols worth Rs.50 lakhs within a month.
DABA Associate Pastor, Rev. Lima Jamir, also speaking at the programme lauded the excise department for their service to the society but also lamented that alcohols are being sold and available in shops and hotels in the office surroundings. He urged the excise department to check those places and further added that it is the duty of every concern citizen to curb anti social elements which is destroying the society. He also assured all possible help from the church body.
Also speaking on behalf of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), joint secretary (admn), Joseph Shingnaisui said the excise department should be appreciated for their work. He further urged all to cooperate with the department to eradicate the social menace from society.
