Liquor worth nearly Rs. 1 crore seized; two arrested for smuggling

In a major crackdown against the illegal liquor trade in the state, security forces arrested two individuals, including a truck driver, for allegedly smuggling assorted liquor valued at nearly RS.1 crore. The seizure was made along National Highway-37 near Awangkhul in Noney district on Thursday, officials said.
Personnel of the Assam Rifles intercepted the truck during a routine check and discovered more than 32,000 bottles and cans of assorted liquor hidden in the vehicle. The truck, along with the contraband, was immediately seized and the two individuals were taken into custody. The arrested duo was later handed over to the state police for further investigation.
Manipur has been officially a dry state since the enforcement of the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991. However, the Act provides exemptions for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, allowing them to brew liquor for personal consumption under traditional customs and customary laws.
Despite the prohibition, liquor continues to be available through illegal channels, with smuggling and black-market sales posing persistent challenges for law enforcement agencies. In September 2022, the state government partially lifted the prohibition, permitting the sale and consumption of liquor in district headquarters, licensed hotels with at least 20 beds, and authorising the export of locally brewed country liquor. Nevertheless, illegal transportation and distribution remain rampant across the state.