Unakoti, April 11: In one of the biggest crackdowns in recent times, the Excise Department of Unakoti district has seized 90 cartons of illegal liquor with an estimated market value of Rs 1.13 lakh from Kailashahar subdivision. The operation, based on a tip-off, was carried out in coordination with the local police, women police, TSR, and Assam Rifles. The raid was conducted at the residence of Panchu Dutta, a resident of Pechardhar village under Bilashpur Gram Panchayat. Officials recovered 55 cartons of liquor from his house, and another 35 cartons from a nearby warehouse, also owned by him. The seized liquor includes Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country liquor, all sourced illegally from neighboring Assam.
Authorities have confirmed that the entire consignment was smuggled into Tripura, bypassing legal channels. At the time of the raid, Panchu Dutta was reportedly not at home. The search operation was conducted in the presence of local villagers, ensuring transparency. A case has been registered against him at the Kailashahar Police Station. Sources say Panchu Dutta has been involved in the illegal liquor trade for over 15 years.
Although his name has surfaced multiple times in similar cases, he has never been arrested—raising serious questions about possible protection from influential quarters. “We have seized a total of 90 cartons of liquor smuggled from Assam. Further investigation is underway,” said Chayan Laskar, Inspector, Excise Department.
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