Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and improved institutional capacity to tackle the trafficking of illicit liquor and drugs in the state.
Yadav made the remarks on Tuesday while reviewing the functioning of the Department of Excise and Prohibition at Lok Bhavan in Kohima. According to a statement issued by Lok Bhavan, the governor stressed the need for the department to address operational and manpower constraints while continuing to support public health and effective governance.
During the meeting, officials highlighted several challenges affecting enforcement operations, including porous borders, shortage of personnel, discontinuation of inter-district check-gates, outdated firearms and limited operational mobility.
The department said its current personnel-to-population ratio stands at 1:6,000, compared with 1:2,000 in neighbouring Mizoram. The shortage of manpower, officials said, remains one of the key constraints in strengthening enforcement activities across the state.
The meeting also reviewed the department’s enforcement record from April 2021 to March 2026, covering cases registered under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act as well as drug-related offences.
During the five-year period, enforcement agencies seized different forms of illicit liquor and drugs, including Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), country liquor, poppy straw, opium, heroin, cough syrup and drugs in the form of capsules and tablets.
Officials also briefed the governor on recent seizures, the destruction of confiscated drugs and liquor, and awareness campaigns conducted across Nagaland to educate people about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
The department reported total excise revenue collection of Rs 22.51 crore between April 2021 and March 2026. Annual revenue collection rose from Rs 3.17 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 5.92 crore in 2025-26.
The department’s future roadmap focuses on strengthening enforcement, tackling organised crime, protecting public health, improving governance, increasing revenue collection and building personnel capacity.
The measures are aimed at improving the state’s ability to prevent the illegal movement of liquor and drugs while strengthening the institutional response to substance-related challenges.
The department said the broader objective is to contribute towards building a drug-free Nagaland through stronger enforcement, better coordination and greater public awareness.
