Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05:
Along with whipping three shop-keepers with stick five times as punishment for allegedly selling tobacco products like Mithamana, Zarda, Raja Khaini, Khaini (Kouta) and Talab in defiance of its ban, the proscribed outfit RPF/PLA has closed down their shops for six months.
Parading the three Laishram Arun (35) and Thoudam Bishwajit (33) of Thoubal Leishangthem Thoudam and Leishangthem Kiran alias Kalimu (30) of Thoubal Leishangthem Bazar before mediapersons somewhere in the valley area today, a spokesperson of department of communication and publicity of the outfit informed they were pulled up along with the banned tobacco products from Thoubal Leishangthem Thoudam and Thoubal Leishangthem Bazar yesterday.
During the course of interrogation it has been known that Arun and Bishwajit procured Mithamana, Raja Khaini, Zarda and Talab from one Md Boy who owns a grocery shop at Irong Muslim Khun Salong Maning while Kiran sold the Mithamana, Raja Khaini, Talab, Zarda and Khaini Kouta supplied by one Debendra Jain of Allu Gulli, Imphal, the spokesperson said, adding that one Mona of Allu Galli has also been trading these products in defiance of the ban.
All the three accused shopkeepers were whipped five times with a stick as punishment for defying the ban in front of mediapersons and the spokesperson announced closure of their shops for six months.
The spokesperson has also asked Md Boy, Debendra Jain and Mona, who supply the banned tobacco products to surrender to the outfit within five days.