KOHIMA | Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and greater 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. The Governor stressed the need for the department to address operational and manpower constraints while continuing to contribute to public health and effective governance, according to a statement issued by Lok Bhavan.

During the meeting, department officials highlighted several challenges affecting enforcement, including porous borders, manpower shortages, the discontinuation of inter-district check-gates, outdated firearms and limited operational mobility.

The department said its current personnel-to-population ratio stood at 1:6,000, compared with 1:2,000 in neighbouring Mizoram. The meeting reviewed the department’s enforcement record from April 2021 to March 2026, including cases registered under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act and drug-related offences.

Authorities seized various forms of illicit liquor and narcotic substances during the period, 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 the state to highlight the dangers of substance abuse. The department reported total excise revenue collection of Rs 22.51 crore between April 2021 and March 2026. Annual collections 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, combating organised crime, protecting public health, improving governance, increasing revenue collection and expanding personnel capacity. The broader objective, officials said, is to strengthen the state’s fight against illicit liquor and narcotics and move towards a drug-free Nagaland.