Kerala Excise Cases Decline After Anti-Narcotics Squad Merges with State Bureau
Kottayam: The number of excise cases registered in Kerala’s Kottayam district has declined following the merger of the district excise department’s Anti-Narcotics Special Squad with the State Narcotics Control Bureau. The newly formed squad has reportedly been instructed not to register cases under the Abkari Act, with officials citing a lack of technical clarity in the order governing the reorganisation.
Senior excise officials have indicated that a fresh notification is expected within a few days to address the issue and restore the squad’s authority to register excise cases. The administrative changes have disrupted some of the squad’s previous operations, raising concerns over enforcement against illegal liquor sales and related offences.
Merger of Anti-Narcotics Squad Affects Case Registration
The district excise department’s Anti-Narcotics Special Squad was integrated into the State Narcotics Control Bureau as part of the restructuring. Following the merger, members of the squad were reportedly directed not to register Abkari cases.
Excise officials have attributed the restriction to technical ambiguities in the order issued under the Abkari Act. According to the District Excise Office, a revised notification is expected to clarify the squad’s powers and allow personnel to resume registering excise cases.
The department has also announced plans to provide the squad members with new uniforms to replace their existing khaki attire. However, the new uniforms have not yet reached Kottayam, although officials at the Excise Commissionerate have already received them.
Kottayam Squad Previously Ranked Second in Kerala
Before the restructuring, the Anti-Narcotics Special Squad had established a strong record in enforcement operations. In September, it ranked second in Kerala in the number of excise and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases registered.
During that month, the squad registered 26 NDPS cases and four excise cases. It also seized 127 litres of spirit and carried out inspections targeting illegal liquor sales and bars allegedly operating before their permitted opening hours.
The decline in excise cases following the squad’s operational changes has highlighted the impact of the transition on district-level enforcement.
Spirit Seized from Toddy Shop in First Such Case in District
In a notable operation, the squad seized spirit from a toddy shop in Kottayam after receiving confidential information. According to the report, it was the first such seizure from a toddy shop in the district.
The squad had also maintained a mechanism for members of the public to provide confidential information about suspected narcotics-related offences, illegal liquor sales and other excise violations.
New Rules Change Authority to Register NDPS Cases
The restructuring has also changed the authorisation process for registering NDPS cases. Under the previous arrangement, preventive officers were permitted to register cases. Under the new system, only Inspectors are authorised to register cases under the NDPS Act.
The change, along with the restriction on registering Abkari cases, has affected the squad’s operations during the transition period.
Officials have said a fresh notification is expected to resolve the technical issues and clarify the powers of the newly formed unit. The district office has also indicated that the pending uniforms will be supplied soon.
The effectiveness of the new arrangement will depend on how quickly the administrative issues are resolved and the squad resumes its full range of enforcement responsibilities.
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