People have lost faith in Government's way of handling drug issue: Federation of Haomee
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18 2020:
In view of the growing drug menace and ongoing trials related to drug issue in the State which have been moving sluggishly, the Federation of Haomee (FH) has said that people have lost faith in Government over its way of dealing with the drug issue.
In a statement issued today, the FH said that Governments' War on Drugs seemed to bear far reaching effect but it just turned out to be a hype as indicated by the burgeoning drug related issues in the State.
The State has beaten all the States of the country in terms of drug related cases and what is more saddening is the alleged involvement of many influential individuals.
These powerful hands have been hindering the pace of the trials, alleged the FH while saying that such influence has a lot to do with the growing people's distrust over the Government.
Recalling the airport drug haul case of 2013, the FH alleged that the then Congress-led Government showed all its desperation and involvement by disbanding the Special Intelligence Unit and subsequent transfer of the police officer who led the drug haul.
One MLA, who is now supporting the present BJP-led Government is an accused in the case, the FH said while remarking that fair trial and conviction regarding the case is something very unlikely to happen.
Currently the drug haul case from the residence of Lukhosei Zou is a hot issue and as the trial progresses, many names at official positions have been linked, it said.
As such, many sections of the society and the Opposition party have been demanding transfer of the case to the CBI, the FH said while asserting that those concerned are not paying any attention to the demand till date.
It is evident that many hill slopes have been used for poppy plantations, mainly by some communities who immigrated from Myanmar, said FH while adding that people will see some officials destroying a few such plantations but do nothing against those who have cultivated it.
Saying that parts of the valley have been converted into drug manufacturing units and people have witnessed agencies busting the units on various occasions, the FH said while continuing that people will hardly hear conviction of those nabbed or found to have involved in running the units.
With such inaction, similar units continue to grow rapidly in a bid to turn the State into "Second Golden Triangle", it said.
What is more interesting is the conferment of Chief Minister's Medal for Gallantry to one police officer involved in the infamous Pallel drug haul case, on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day, the FH continued.
It went on to ask as to why people would not consider such blunder was deliberately done to support drug mafia.
It further questioned how the Home Department, which is full of intellectuals skilled in collecting information and have profound knowledge of handling many issues, failed to avert the mistake when a student body could.
It could be merely a ploy to tarnish the image of the incumbent Chief Minister who is also the in-charge of Home Department, said the FH with suspicion and further appealed to the CM to pay heed to the people's voice and do the needful to ensure fair and speedy trial of cases related to drug issue.