Truck laden with Arunachali liquor seized in Sarupathar

A CORRESPONDENT

SARUPATHAR: The smuggling of illegal liquor from a nearby state of Arunachal Pradesh is getting worrisome. The excise department has conducted multiple raids and operations that have resulted in the seizure of thousands of liquor bottles and a large number of vehicles in Assam. A massive amounts of this illegal liquor from Arunachal Pradesh has also been seized in Sarupathar under the Golaghat district recently.

The Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya acknowledged earlier in the Autumn Session of the Assam Assembly that an illegal trade of liquor made in Arunachal Pradesh does exists. This has also resulted in a loss of a lot of revenue for the State. As per the Excise Department of Sarupathar, almost 70 cartons of illegal liquor made in Arunachal has been seized from a truck bearing registration no. AS 12E 7471.

The illegal liquor was brought in a hidden chamber of the truck which was going to Dimapur. It was trapped in Sarupathar after a tip-off information. The state government has tried all means to restrict this illegal trade but to no avail. Regular operations have been undertaken to capture the vehicles carrying illegal liquor. The Assam Excise Department has blamed the Arunachal Excise Department for showing a lackadaisical attitude towards the traders. Many of the seized trucks had transit passes and it was surprising that they pass right under the nose of the Excise Department. Inter-departmental coordination among the excise, police, and administration is the need of the hour to restrict this illegal trade.

Interestingly, it is alleged that the State government has no data on how much revenue the State of Assam is losing due to this illegal liquor trade. Even the minister has agreed to not knowing on what exactly is the impact this trade is having on the state exchequer. There have been serious allegations that a nexus exists between high-level Excise Department officials and the police department who are patronizing this business. Without the help of the police and the Excise Department, this trade cannot flourish and there are also allegations that trade partnership goes all the way to Arunachal Pradesh from where the liquor comes.

As per reports, most of the liquor is consumed in parts of upper Assam as well as in Nagaland too which has a robust demand for liquor from Arunachal Pradesh. Liquor is also sold in black and peddled by numerous dhabas and eateries on the highways of Assam. These dhabas charge a little bit extra on the price and sell it to their customers. The preferred bottles sold in dhabas are the 180 ml ones as it is easier to carry and conceal them. The rate of liquor made in Arunachal Pradesh is lower than in Assam due to tax relaxations and other factors that make it a viable proposition for illegal liquor smugglers. For the low rung customers, getting alcohol at a lower price is always a preferable option. 

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