Nagaland drug enforcement has come under renewed focus as Governor Nand Kishore Yadav called for stronger action against the illegal liquor trade and narcotics in the state. The call comes amid continuing concerns over drug trafficking, bootlegging and violations of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.
The Governor’s emphasis on stricter enforcement comes at a time when authorities are intensifying efforts to curb substance abuse through policing, inter-departmental coordination, awareness programmes and seizures. The issue has also drawn demands from civil society groups for more consistent implementation of existing laws.
Governor stresses stronger Nagaland drug enforcement
Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, who assumed office as Nagaland’s 23rd Governor in March 2026, has repeatedly stressed stronger law enforcement and preventive action during his interactions with state officials.
The latest focus on illicit liquor and drugs highlights the need for agencies to work together against trafficking networks and illegal sales. Effective Nagaland drug enforcement requires coordination between the police, Excise and Prohibition Department, district administrations and other agencies responsible for prevention and prosecution.
The state already has a legal framework aimed at controlling both liquor and narcotic substances. The Excise and Prohibition Department is responsible for enforcing the NLTP Act, 1989, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Its responsibilities include preventing the possession, sale, manufacture and transportation of liquor, as well as tackling the smuggling of narcotic drugs.
Illicit liquor remains a major enforcement challenge
Nagaland has had a total prohibition law since 1989, but illegal liquor continues to pose an enforcement challenge. In July, the Naga Students’ Federation urged the state government to ensure strict and uniform implementation of the NLTP Act, saying violations of the law remained widespread.
The federation argued that the prohibition law remains legally applicable until it is amended or repealed through the proper legislative process. Its demand has added to the broader debate over how the state can improve enforcement while addressing the realities surrounding illegal liquor markets.
Recent enforcement action shows the scale of the challenge. In March 2026, the Excise Department destroyed 1,635 bottles of seized liquor worth nearly Rs 8.90 lakh in Zunheboto district. Officials stressed that enforcement cannot rest solely with the Excise Department and called for cooperation from civil society, community leaders and the public.
Drug trafficking demands coordinated action
Drug trafficking is another major concern for the state. District-level Narcotics Coordination Committee meetings have recently focused on improving intelligence sharing, surveillance, pharmacy inspections and enforcement against trafficking and local drug peddling.
At a Kiphire NCORD meeting in June, officials reviewed NDPS cases, seizures, asset attachment, prosecution and follow-up action. The meeting also stressed stronger coordination among police, Excise, health, education and social welfare departments. Authorities discussed tighter check gates and verification mechanisms to prevent the movement of narcotic substances through the district.
Such coordination is central to effective Nagaland drug enforcement, particularly because drug-related offences involve both supply and demand. Authorities have therefore also been reviewing counselling, rehabilitation and de-addiction services alongside policing measures.
Kohima officials similarly reviewed anti-drug measures in July, including inspections of pharmacies. The district administration stressed coordinated efforts against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, while pharmacy inspections examined compliance with rules covering controlled medicines, storage, invoices and CCTV records.
Nagaland drug enforcement needs community support
The state’s enforcement agencies have recorded significant seizures in recent years. During 2024, Nagaland Police seized drugs worth more than Rs 44 crore, while the Excise and Prohibition Department made seizures worth more than Rs 1.18 crore and arrested over 1,770 people, according to figures presented by the Governor in the state Assembly in March 2025.
These figures underline the importance of sustained Nagaland drug enforcement rather than short-term crackdowns. Officials and community organisations have increasingly highlighted the role of village councils, churches, youth groups, women’s organisations and civil society in identifying and reporting illegal activities.
Prevention and awareness are also important. District authorities have been conducting sensitisation programmes in schools, colleges and villages while promoting community participation. Such measures can complement policing by reducing demand and helping people affected by substance abuse access treatment.
The state’s Excise Department also recognises the importance of preventive enforcement. Its official mandate covers liquor prohibition as well as narcotic enforcement under the NDPS Act, with coordination involving central agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau.
Stronger action needed against illegal supply networks
The Governor’s call places renewed attention on the need to strengthen Nagaland drug enforcement across districts. Authorities face the challenge of stopping illegal supply chains while ensuring that cases are investigated properly and offenders are prosecuted under the relevant laws.
Stronger surveillance at vulnerable entry points, better intelligence sharing, coordinated inspections and timely prosecution could help improve enforcement. At the same time, rehabilitation and awareness programmes remain necessary to address substance abuse as a social and public health concern.
With demands for stricter implementation of the NLTP Act continuing, the focus is now on how government agencies can translate enforcement commitments into consistent action. Strong coordination between authorities and communities will remain critical to reducing the circulation of illicit liquor and drugs across Nagaland.
For the state, effective Nagaland drug enforcement will depend not only on seizures and arrests but also on sustained prevention, public participation and rehabilitation. A coordinated approach could strengthen the fight against illegal liquor and narcotics while supporting safer communities across the state.
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