State Govt finally talks tough on drug issue
I won't defend my son, he should be punished: MLA TN Haokip
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 27 2013: With the involvement of a top Army official, son of senior Congress MLA and the possibility of other well known leaders of State in drug smuggling business coming to the fore, the State Government seem to have finally opened its eyes over the menace of drugs in Manipur.

On the other hand, elected Congress MLA from Saikot Assembly Constituency TN Haokip today, one of whose son was arrested along with huge quantity of drugs, categorically stated strict legal action should be initiated against his son in accordance to the law of the land.

Concerned over the increasing cases of drug seizures in the State, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the portfolio of Home, has announced stringent measures to curb smuggling of drugs through postal parcel or in cargo flight and given strict instruction to all the security personnel deployed in these areas to be vigilant.

Talking to media persons soon after his arrival from New Delhi today, Gaikhangam stated that the State Government had earlier decided to hand over the case of drug seizure from Tulihal Airport to CBI.

However, as the public appear to be not satisfied with this decision, the State Government is considering roping in the service of Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Accordingly, the matter would be brought up for discussion in the State Cabinet.

He observed that involvement of high profile individuals in the drug trade for a long time is a fact.

But like the Manipuri proverbial saying of 'Huranbagi Tarani, Mapugi Nongma', some of them have been arrested one after another only recently.

The State Government is not taking lightly any of these cases.

That was the reason why the State Cabinet resolved to hand over the case related to seizure of drug from the Airport to the CBI.

But if the public is not satisfied with this, then step would be taken up for handing over the case to Central Narcotics Bureau, he assured.

Gaikhangam asserted that the recent arrest of drug traffickers along with huge drug consignments is a clear indication of the commitment of the Government towards dealing with the drug issue in the State strictly, and all those involved in the illegal trade would be dealt in accordance to the law of the land.

While appreciating the effort of Manipur police in performing their duties efficiently, Gaikhangam also expressed desire for awarding those police officials for their work.

He also appealed to the general public for their support and cooperation in eliminating the problem of drug in Manipur and added destruction of Poppy cultivation in interior parts of the State would be taken up shortly.

Meanwhile, a day after the arrest of one of his sons along with four carton boxes of Pseudoephedrine drugs came to light, the elected Congress MLA from Saikot Assembly Constituency TN Haokip today categorically stated that he would not defend his son and strict legal action should be initiated in accordance to the law of the land.

35-year old Saikholen Haokip, eldest son of TN Haokip was arrested by police along with four huge cartons of Pseudoephedrine drugs from his house at Deulahlane here on February 25 night following the information given by PRO (Defence Wing) Col Ajay Chowdhry and five others who are presently in police remand after they were caught red-handed at Pallel on Sunday last while heading toward Moreh for smuggling out a huge drug consignment worth around Rs 15 crores into Mynamar.

Addressing media persons at his official residence at Babupara today, MLA TN Haokip stated that the arrest of his son, Saikholen Haokip from his residence at Deulahlane was indeed a big achievement of the police in their effort to save Manipuri society from the menace of drugs.

So, the State Government should award those police personnel who succeeded in arresting Colonel Ajay Chowdhry and five others with huge quantity of Pseudoephedrine drugs and thus leading to the arrest of his son Saikholen Haokip as well.

TN Haokip, who had not only been a Cabinet Minister but also the Speaker of State Assembly, however, clarified that he has been staying at his quarters after giving away the house at Deulahlane to his son for the last many years.

He has cut off all relations and not spoken to his son for the last four years following some family related problems.

"So, there is no question of me or any other family member involving in the drug scandal in any way", he asserted, while reiterating that necessary legal actions should be taken up against Saikholen Haokip even if he is his son.

"Though the realization that my son has been involving in illegal drug smuggling is a big blow to me, yet as an elected representative of the people, I would not try to defend my son", TN Haokip stated, adding that regardless of whether anyone is MLA or Minister or Contractor, all those who are indulging in smuggling drugs should be arrested and punished because they are trying to destroy the youths of Manipur, and thus, they are enemies of the people.

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