Chinese liquor banned through Hilsa point

By Our Correspondent,Humla, May 17: Chinese liquor’s entry into Nepal has been banned through the Hilsa border point. The ban was imposed by the Chinese authorities after the request from the Nepali authorities.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rabindra Khanal, Chinese authorities have forced a complete ban on the supply of liquor to Nepal through Hilsa.

A team of Nepali security officials led by Humla’s Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Pokharel that visited China last month for a border security meeting had requested the Chinese officials to impose a ban on the supply of liquor to Nepal. 

DSP Khanal, who returned from another border security meeting on Wednesday, informed that the Chinese side adhered to the request. “Easy availability of Chinese liquor had led to a rise in disputes and fights across Humla,” said DSP Khanal, who is also the chief of the Humla District Police Office. 

As per the officials, despite the Chinese liquor could be easily imported from China, it was also being smuggled from the border point in Hilsa at a very high rate. 

It has been speculated that the smuggling caused Nepal a loss of over Rs. 150 million in revenue annually. 

After the ban, Chinese liquor is not available in the market across Humla. Earlier, Chinese liquor was one of the major items that entered via Hilsa. 

“The alcohol’s import has been completely banned. We expect a decline in alcohol-induced conflict in the district now,” said DSP Khanal.