In a bid to prevent illegal liquor sale during the panchayat elections, the State Government on Saturday asked excise officials to ensure strict enforcement of the law.

 Excise Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani at a virtual review meeting emphasised on strengthening enforcement measures particularly during the elections for free, fair and peaceful polls.

All excise enforcing wings were instructed to check border points, conduct night patrolling and frequent raids to curb the illegal manufacturing, distributing and sale points of the ID, duplicate and non-duty paid liquors effectively.

Lohani asked the officials to continue sustained enforcement work till completion of the election process. Notably, a special enforcement drive has already been going on throughout the State.

Habitual offenders should be identified and to keep close watch upon their activities. In case of their involvement in manufacture, sale and supply of liquor, they should be arrested and forwarded to the court mentioning their criminal antecedent, he said.

He further directed to conduct raids on ID spots to stop the manufacture and circulation of illicit liquor in the market during the election period.

All SE have been asked to ensure that the vendors, shop owners should not play any mischief during election time. All exercise shops would be checked frequently.

In all districts, control rooms would be opened and special squads of police, excise and magistrates would be mobilised for enforcement work and patrolling duty round the clock.

All intelligence and enforcement wings like State Flying Squad and three zonal squads at Cuttack, Brahmapur and Sambalpur have been directed to coordinate all enforcement activities in the State. All were asked to remain full alert during the election period.