Excise Department Cracks Down on Illegal Liquor Trade: 72 Litres of Other State Liquor Seized, Six Arrested in Two Separate Raids

Nuapada, August 6: Intensifying its drive against the illegal liquor trade, the Nuapada Excise Department conducted two separate enforcement raids across different parts of the district on Thursday, seizing a total of 72 litres of Other State Liquor (OSL) and arresting six persons involved in the illegal business. The department’s firm action has been widely appreciated as a significant step towards curbing illicit liquor trafficking in the district. In the first operation, a team led by Excise Inspector Hirabati Thati of the Nuapada Excise Range carried out raids in Khalna, Amanara and Tora villages under Dharambandha Police Station limits. During the operation, officials seized 45 litres of Other State Liquor and arrested three accused. Cases were registered against them, and they were later remanded to judicial custody. In another independent operation, the Excise Station team conducted raids in Dhobalmunda, Malikmunda and Chhata villages. Acting on PR Nos. 127/26-27, 128/26-27 and 129/26-27, the officials seized 27 litres of Other State Liquor. Three persons—Devaki Pandey, Hiraram Punji and Tarun Mahanand—were arrested in connection with the cases. They were produced before the JMFC Court, Komna, and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The second raid was carried out under the supervision of Excise Station OIC Alekh Patel, with the participation of Assistant Sub-Inspector Amarnath Bishoi and Excise Constables Malaya Mahalang, Mohan Tandi and RitAnjali Sabar. The Excise Department has reiterated that its special enforcement drives against the illegal liquor trade will continue across the district in the coming days, with the objective of eliminating illicit liquor trafficking and ensuring strict enforcement of the Excise laws.