Imphal, March 2 – Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched five new vehicles for the state’s Excise Department on Monday, underscoring the urgent need for stringent oversight on foreign liquor consumption and crackdowns on illicit alcohol trade.
The flag-off ceremony marks a significant boost to the department’s surveillance capabilities across the state. These vehicles are designed to enhance monitoring efforts and clamp down effectively on illegal liquor activities that have plagued remote areas.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister emphasized that this initiative will play a pivotal role in curbing unlawful liquor businesses and strengthening enforcement at the grassroots level. He described it as a crucial step toward improving the department’s efficiency and operational agility.
A senior official revealed that since partial lifting of prohibition in select regions on December 6, 2023, the government has been supplying regulated, pure Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) to the public. However, maintaining the spirit of the policy demands rigorous monitoring and continuous field operations.
The new fleet promises a substantial upgrade in field operation capacity. With improved mobility, officers can respond swiftly to on-ground needs, conduct more effective inspections, and ensure seamless coordination between stations and zones.
The event saw the presence of several MLAs and top Excise Department officials. Later in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated a model residential school under the Prime Minister’s Jan Vikas Program and a new science and arts block at Moirangpurel Higher Secondary School in Imphal East district’s Moirangpurel area.
In another engagement, he met a delegation led by Naga People’s Organization President Peter Kuba at the Civil Secretariat, discussing key regional issues.