DIMAPUR, Feb 25 - In view of the Dimapur Naga Students Union�s ultimatum, the Nagaland Excise Department has decided to check the flow of liquor into the State by forming a �dedicated committee�. The committee will be headed by Deputy Commissioner (Narcotics Cell) S Chanlei Angh as its convenor.
An emergency meeting was called at the Excise Directorate here on Monday in this regard, a press release issued by Dimapur Excise Commissioner Tarep Imchen said.
Earlier, the students� body set a week�s deadline beginning February 22 for the authorities to close down all liquor shops and outlets, and completely stop the flow of liquor into Dimapur.
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council has also expressed concern over the alarming spurt in the number of adulterated liquor dens and outlets. The council said that the existence of the Excise Department in the State has become �questionable� and a �mockery in itself�.
Monday�s meeting was attended by the Adviser to the Excise, Sericulture and Minority Affairs Zhaleo Rio, Excise Secretary Orenphomo Kikon and senior officials of the department.
Addressing the meeting, Rio termed the union�s ultimatum as a wake-up call for the department. He also took note of the difficulties faced by the department while executing the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act. He sought active cooperation of all stakeholders, including NGOs, police and administration to curb the liquor menace and said it should be a �people�s movement�.
Rio felt that the department should be modernised and equipped with adequate logistics and arms to face security threats from �elemental forces�.