Dibrugarh: Dibrugarh administration has banned unauthorised sale and handling of slush/liquid gur, citing its use in illicit liquor production.Additional district magistrate Pranjal Boruah issued the order on Friday under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023. It took effect immediately and will remain in force for 60 days unless withdrawn or extended.The order followed an excise report that slush/liquid gur, known as “Lalee Gur” or molasses, was being used extensively in the illegal manufacture, distillation and trade of illicit liquor.“The consumption of such toxic illicit liquor poses a grave and immediate threat to human life, public health and public safety,” the order stated.Individuals, traders, firms and business entities need prior written permission to sell, purchase, store, transport or distribute the substance. Those requiring it for cattle feed, agriculture or industry must also obtain permission.Permitted stockists, transporters and dealers must keep registers of procurement, transport and sale for inspection by excise or police officials.Violations will invite prosecution under Section 223 of the BNS, 2023, besides other applicable laws.Molasses is used in country liquor, including Sulai. In 2019, methanol-contaminated liquor killed at least 158 people in Assam, mostly tea garden workers in Golaghat and Jorhat.
