Siliguri, 31st January: To curb the smuggling of liquor from Sikkim, the Jalpaiguri Division Excise Department has taken strict measures by setting up two new naka (check) points. These checkpoints, located in border areas adjoining Sikkim, have been under 24-hour surveillance for the past 48 hours.
The new initiative has already yielded significant results. During naka checking, large consignments of foreign liquor were seized from Kalimpong and Darjeeling. The excise team of the Jalpaiguri Division will continue strict monitoring in both areas.
Sujit Das, Special Commissioner of the North Bengal Zone Excise Department, said that smuggling of liquor through hilly areas from Sikkim has historically caused major revenue losses for the state government. While smuggling has reduced compared to earlier periods, traffickers continue to devise new strategies.
He added that, to strengthen anti-smuggling measures, two new naka points have been established: one on the Jorethang (Sikkim) to Darjeeling route, and the other on the Rangpo to Kalimpong route. Continuous surveillance is also being conducted through flying squads and mobile patrolling vans.
During the past 48 hours of intensive checking, the excise department foiled a major smuggling plan and recovered about 70 cartons, totaling nearly 1,000 litres of liquor, from two vehicles.
Investigation is ongoing to identify the individuals involved in the smuggling. Sujit Das added that the new naka checkpoints will help the excise department maintain better surveillance and effectively prevent foreign liquor smuggling in the future.