Bhubaneswar: Enforcement agencies in Odisha have intensified crackdown against illegal excise activities in Nuapada where by-election is set to be held for the Assembly Constituency on November 11,
Acting on the directives of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the Excise Department and district administration have stepped up surveillance and raids to curb the flow of illicit liquor and narcotic substances in the run up to the bypoll.
Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the local Excise department officials have seized 86 litres of beer, 42 litres of foreign liquor, 6,963 litres of country liquor, 1,512 litres of outstill liquor, 60 kilograms of ganja, and 1,71,300 kilograms of mahua pouches, valued at approximately Rs 1,20,03,756.
This apart, the officials have also seized eight motorcycles and one four-wheeler allegedly used for illegal transportation of excise materials.
According to the Superintendent of Excise, Nuapada, as many as 242 cases have been registered and 134 persons have been arrested in connection with these offences so far.
The CEO has asked the district administration and Excise Department to maintain strict vigilance and prevent the movement of illegal excise goods in the run-up to polling day.
