Manipur Police Seize 1,008 Beer Cans, Arrest Two in Kakching

Manipur Police have arrested two alleged liquor smugglers and seized 1,008 cans of beer worth approximately ₹1.5 lakh during an operation to curb illegal liquor trade in the state, officials said on Saturday.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police intercepted a vehicle travelling from Kakching Bazaar towards Imphal at Sora Chingwangba under Kakching Police Station in Kakching district on Friday. During the checking, officers recovered a large consignment of beer cans that were allegedly imported without payment of Excise duty.

The two accused were identified as Nongthombam Kishan Singh (25) and Bimol Singh Nongthombam (30), both residents of Luwangsangbam Makha Leikai in Imphal East district. A Maruti Gypsy used for transporting the liquor was also seized.

Police said the accused were detained for evasion of Excise duty, and the seized liquor along with the vehicle was handed over to the state Excise Department for further action.

Excise officials clarified that the confiscated beer will not be auctioned or resold. Instead, all seized cans will be destroyed after the completion of legal proceedings as directed by the court.

An FIR has been registered at Kakching Police Station under relevant sections of the Excise Act, and further investigation is underway.