Excise Staff Seek Arms After Smuggler Attacks in Telangana

Rising Attacks on Excise Personnel Raise Safety Concerns

Growing incidents of attacks by ganja and NDPL smugglers have heightened concerns over the safety of Excise department personnel in Telangana, with staff alleging inadequate government surveillance and lack of protective measures during enforcement operations.

Excise officials say the absence of fear of law enforcement has emboldened smugglers, who are now directly confronting field staff during raids and vehicle checks.

Nizamabad Incident Highlights Risk

The seriousness of the situation came into sharp focus in Nizamabad district, where an on-duty Excise constable, Soumya, was deliberately run over by a car during an operation against ganja smugglers. The constable sustained critical injuries and continues to battle for life.

Excise personnel say this incident reflects a worrying trend, with smugglers increasingly resorting to violent methods, including attempts to mow down officers with vehicles.

Field Staff Cite Repeated Confrontations

Personnel involved in seizing non-duty paid liquor, curbing illicit liquor brewing, and intercepting ganja consignments report frequent physical attacks. They say confrontations have intensified in recent months, especially during night operations and in remote areas.

Staff argue that without basic protective equipment or weapons, they remain vulnerable while performing high-risk enforcement duties.

Minister’s Assurance Remains Unfulfilled

Five months ago, Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, during a departmental review, acknowledged attacks on Excise staff and announced plans to provide weapons for their protection. However, employees say no concrete steps have followed the announcement so far.

They allege that the continued absence of weapons has encouraged smugglers to act with greater aggression, knowing that Excise teams are unarmed.

Seizure Data Underscores Enforcement Load

Officials point out that enforcement activity has remained high despite the risks. In the previous year, police registered over 2,542 NDPS cases, while the Excise department booked 1,304 cases, seizing 5,505 kg of ganja and 1,646 ganja plants.

In 2025 alone, Excise teams reportedly seized 11,500 litres of illicit liquor and 8,766 litres of NDPL, reflecting the scale of illegal activity.

Demand for Weapons Across Enforcement Units

Excise staff are now demanding that all enforcement units be equipped with weapons. They estimate that 150 to 200 weapons are required for four State Task Force teams, ten enforcement teams, and 34 District Task Force teams.

Personnel have urged the government to take immediate steps to approve the proposal and provide training, stating that armed enforcement is essential to deter organised smuggling networks.

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