Imphal, December 31: The proscribed RPF has penalised a man by shooting him on his leg for allegedly smuggling in Zarda while a woman involved in the smuggling had her hair tonsured apart from setting on fire the vehicle, a Tata Sumo, in which the banned tobacco product was being transported.

The man who has been punished with a bullet on his leg has been identified as Yumnam Ibomcha (34) of Awang Sekmai Laipat s/o Irabot and the woman whose head has been tonsured as Irungbam Purnimashi (41) w/o late Pakpa of Awang Sekmai near Police Gate.

The registration no.of the ill-fated Tata Sumo is MN-05A/1368.It belonged to one Langpoklakpam Shyam of Khongjom Tekcham and was driven by one Langpoklakpam Sanatomba of the same locality.

Ibomcha was found shot at on his right thigh at Irom Pukhri Mapal at around 7.20 pm today.

He has been reportedly admitted to RIMS Hospital for treatment.

Both Ibomcha and Purnimashi were produced before mediapersons somewhere in Ukhrul district this afternoon.

Speaking to mediapersons at the occasion, a spokesperson of the department of communication and publicity of RPF informed that both the man and the woman were rounded up based on specific information from Koirengei area at around 11.30 am today.

Five carton boxes of Zarda, containing 1500 Zarda cans have also been seized from their possession, the spokesperson said, adding that the banned tobacco product was being carried in the Tata Sumo.

Both of them were being punished in accordance to the announcement made by RPF to penalise any person who defy the ban on tobacco products, the spokesperson said.

The seized tobacco product was later destroyed after setting on fire at a place in Imphal East district while the Tata Sumo was found set aflame at Angom Lawai in Imphal East.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the department of communication and publicity of the outfit has asked three women who allegedly escaped along with Zarda to surrender within three days and has warned of stern action if they fails to do so.

The three women are identified as Ibecha Devi of Moreh, Thoibi Devi of Awang Sekmai opposite to Excise Check post and Ibetombi Devi of Sekmai Laipat.

The statement further informed that a large quantity of tobacco products including Zarda, Khaini, Talab, seized from 11 shops located along the road from North AOC to Koirengei have been destroyed after setting them on fire.

All these 11 shops have also been closed down for 3 to 5 months, the statement added.

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