Liquor set ablaze
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 15 2011:
1112 cases of Indian Made Foreign Liquor seized by Assam Rifles and later handed over to Excise Department were set ablaze today.
The IMFLs were seized by 22 AR posted at Mashimpur, Jiribam and handed over to Excise Department on October 13 and 15, said Excise Assistant Commissioner K Joykumar.
The liquor bottles were broken in front of media persons and thrown into a pit where they were set ablaze.
As the maximum fine set by the Government for bootlegging in Manipur is Rs 10,000, the department is unable to collect much revenue in the form of fine.
Moreover, the department has been plagued by infrastructure shortfalls.
According to a report of the Election Commission of India, investment in liquor is the second biggest sector for election expenditure after offering cash to voters.
The Assistant Commissioner informed that vendors would be raided more frequently in view of the forthcoming elections.
He further appealed to all the State forces to hand over all seized liquors to Excise Department.
He said that the department received good cooperation from military and para-military forces.