PANDM seizes tobacco products
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 02 2021: Volunteers of People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) on Thursday seized several quantities of tobacco products from a shop in Ngari Gali, Thangal Bazar.

According to a release by PANDM secretary (IPR) Rosnikanta Takhelcha, the shop which belongs to one Jakku Roy had been repeatedly warned not to sell/supply tobacco products but defied the advice.

As such, PANDM took the step to raid the shop with officials of Food Safety Department to save the people of the state.

"Jakku Roy has been selling/supplying tobacco products such as Zarda, Sikhar, Khaini, Pan Masala, Pan Parag, Gutka and other items, while looking out only for his self-interests.

The items seized on Thursday have been handed over to the Food Safety officials and the shop owner has been given strict warning," it conveyed.

Further accusing Jakku of manipulating and some Meetei people as his lackeys, PANDM revealed that he (Jakku) threatened to call the police.

However, the police stood on the side of the law andihrew a wrench into his plans.

Jakku also threatened to physically assault the volunteers of PANDM, it conveyed.

"Such brazen behaviour should be put to stop immediately", PANDM contended, while cautioning of revealing the names of the Meetei people who are being used by him if Jakku refuses to stop selling/supplying the tobacco products.

The statement continued: "The shop transacts Rs 30/40 lakh per day just by selling/supplying Sikhar alone, while conducting a transaction of Rs 60/70 lakh from tobacco products on a single day.

Thus, it is important to put an end to this business worth crore of rupees which is based on commercialising human life" .

Stressing that time has come for the Meetei community to open their eyes against such wrong acts, PANDM emphasised the need to ban tobacco products as part of the Government's war on drugs, especially with regard to the prevailing situation brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

PANDM will continue to carry out similar actions in the future, it stated and urged for the support of the people in this regard.

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