Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 12
Despite Nagaland being declared a ‘dry state’ and NLTP Act enforced, there is rampant bootlegging in different pockets of state capital.
Anybody who wants to booze can get it easily even from a small paan shop or along the way to New Secretariat, Jail Colony, Thizama etc.
Interacting with media persons in his office chamber, Superintendent of Excise & Prohibition Kohima, V Mana Sümi opined that it would be best to lift the Prohibition Act as the tag ‘dry state’ doesn’t hold any meaning and that it would rather save people from consuming adulterated liquor. He maintained that church bodies are interfering in state affairs instead of preaching about the Gospel and bad effects of alcohol and other related issues to people.
In humor, he said, those people engaged in trading IMFL especially the widows are grateful to state government and the church bodies of Nagaland for declaring ‘dry state’ since they are generating huge revenues. They are the ones who contribute the highest amount of tithes and donations to the church, he added.
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The SP also disclosed that during the year 2014 from January till December, a total number of 263 cases registered and 264 persons were arrested. Also from January till October, 2015, the report shows a total number of 304 registered cases with the arrest of 343 persons, which clearly indicates the increase of offenders in the state involving mostly locals, informed SP.
With a total seizure of 37594 bottles of IMFL of various brands and 46523 bottles of beer (bottle and can), the revenue generated from this cases amounting to Rs 6,45,000 were deposited to the state exchequer and the seized articles deposited in the malkhana, he informed.
The report shows seizure of a total of 259 kgs of ganja, 27040 capsules of spasmo proxyvon, 1317 bottles of cough syrup and 3,36,600 tables of ephedrin, wherein 8 persons were arrested in this connection from January to October 2015. The seizures were made from various check gates of Khuza, Peducah and NH-29 Piphema.
Meanwhile, the SP also informed that at present, the department has very less manpower as per the population ratio with only 28 constables, 2 havildars, 2 inspectors and 2 AIEs in Kohima. He said, though the state government has been requested from time to time for creation of more posts, it was turned down with a reply ‘no manpower is required as Nagaland is a dry state’.
On the contrary, the SP said, the department requires manpower to control bootlegging.
The SP also disclosed that the use of mobile phones to exchange quick information among the bootleggers about any raid that is executed in a shop or house has been a drawback for the excise personnel.
SP also expressed the difficulty of personnel in VIP and local inhabited areas where they are prevented from carrying out duties on various reasons. He said the department urgently requires more manpower to check all illegal activities in the state capital.
The SP appealed to all the colonies or ward councils, youth organisations and women society especially the Kohima village authority to strictly enforce and check illegal trading of IMFL and unwanted elements in their respective areas. He also sought the support and cooperation of the general public to help the department in weeding out unwanted elements in the society.
