News
Himachal Excise Dept Seizes Over 54,000 Litres of Illicit Liquor Since April as Crackdown Intensifies
The Himachal Pradesh Excise Department has stepped up its statewide crackdown on illicit liquor, registering 523 cases and seizing more than 54,000 litres of liquor and lahan since April. Special district-level teams are conducting coordinated raids under the Chief Minister’s directives to curb smuggling and protect state revenue.
The Excise Department has intensified its campaign against illicit liquor across Himachal Pradesh, seizing a total of 54,945 litres of illicit liquor and lahan since April. Special enforcement teams are carrying out coordinated raids, and 523 cases have been registered so far this financial year.
According to the department, 21,637.166 litres of illicit liquor and 33,308.900 litres of lahan have been seized from various parts of the state.
In October alone, enforcement teams recovered:
- 309.340 litres of illicit liquor and 12 litres of lahan in the southern region (Shimla)
- 2,678.225 litres of illicit liquor and 14 litres of lahan in the central region (Mandi)
- 529.150 litres of liquor and 4,870 litres of lahan in the northern region (Palampur)
- 286.09 litres in Police District Baddi
- 2,090.625 litres in Kullu
- 528.350 litres in Mandi district
- 286.045 litres in Una
Officials have been instructed to take strict legal action against those involved in manufacturing or transporting illegal liquor.
Last month, teams also seized large quantities of illicit liquor and shut down multiple operational distilleries in the villages of Milwan, Thakurdwara, Barota, Bela Ludacha, and Ulehriyan in the Damtal area of Police District Nurpur. These distilleries were demolished on the spot after completing legal formalities.
In line with directives issued by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the department has deployed 35 special teams across districts to curb smuggling and illegal distillation.
Deployment includes:
- 4 teams each in Kullu and Chamba
- 3 teams each in Shimla, Solan, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, and Nurpur Police District
- 2 teams each in Kangra, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, and BBN Police District
- 1 team in Kinnaur
Excise Commissioner Yunus stated that the government is maintaining strict vigilance to prevent illegal activities that could harm state revenue. He appealed to the public to report any information related to illicit liquor through the department’s helplines:
- Phone: 0177-2620426
- WhatsApp: 94183-31426
- South Zone: 0177-2620426
- North Zone: 01894-230186
- Central Zone: 01905-223499
He urged citizens to cooperate so that illegal operations can be stopped promptly.
