Drive on to detain unregistered vehicles: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2022: While stating that the government takes the mounting cases of vehicle theft in the state seriously, CM N Biren has informed that in addition to forming a team to apprehend vehicle lifters, the number of CCTV camera set-up and command centres for monitoring purposes has been increased, and drives are also underway to pull up unmarked/unregistered vehicles.

Responding to a question raised by Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram during the Assembly sitting on Friday; Transport Minister Khasim Vashum said that in the last 5 years i.e., till July 25 this year, 3519 cases of vehicle theft were reported, of which 2996 cases were of two-wheelers; 49 cases for 3-wheelers; 441 cases for 4-wheelers, and 33 cases for heavy vehicles (truck, excavator, trailer).

In all, 284 vehicles were recovered by July 25 and so far, 243 vehicle lifters have been arrested, 94 convicted, 1 case under trial, 7 pending cases and chargesheets filed in 3 cases.

Supplementing the minister's response, CM Biren informed the House that the police and the team formed against vehicle theft are working 24x7 to apprehend vehicle lifters and recover the stolen vehicles.

Several unmarked vehicles have been recovered from Moreh, while those with proper papers have been handed over to the owners concerned.

The operation will soon be carried out in other districts, he said, while expressing belief that the around 70-80 percent of the vehicle lifting cases could be solved with these measures.

Responding to a question posed by Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar on 'War on Drugs', CM N Biren, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that some police personnel tasked with detecting and seizure of drugs have been found to be involved in the drug trade and as such, the background of the police personnel are being verified.

Since 2017, 1743 drug bust cases have been registered; of which chargesheets on 697 cases have been framed, while 1029 cases are pending, 14 people convicted, 2158 sent to judicial remand and 17 cases with final reports compiled.

Biren continued that the government launched the 'War on Drugs' mission to save the future generation, while remarking that there are anti-social elements working overtime to sabotage the mission.

Nonetheless, NDPS has a special court and efforts are being made to dispose of the cases as soon as possible and award befitting punishment to the guilty.

The seized drugs are being disposed in compliance with the Court's orders.

However, as some government employees and police personnel have been found to be involved in the drug trade, departmental verification and transfer has been initiated, he added.

In response to a question raised by MLA Kh Joykisan on power supply in Imphal West and East districts and power cuts during rainy season, Power minister Th Biswajit stated that lack of electricity is the loss of the government, adding that the load shedding is done due to the old system in place.

As such, the government is trying to solve the issue under the Revamp Distribution Sector Scheme.

MLA Joykisan, while raising the question, informed the House that people in Imphal had to operate generators in night to continue normal function and further highlighted the people's lack of trust on the government with regard to power supply.

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