Joint team of CADA, AMSU seize betel leaves
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19 2020:
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) and All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), has seized a truck carrying many baskets of betel leaves near NRL pump at Mantripukhri along the Imphal Dimapur Highway yesterday at around 5.30 pm .
The truck bearing (NL01AD 0629) was coming towards Imphal when the joint team stopped and inspected the truck.
Upon thorough inspection, 34 baskets of betel leaves were found hiding among the sacks of potatoes.
The seized truck was latter handed over to Heingang Police Station after a brief detention by the joint team, said a press statement of CADA.
It may be recalled that Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Tobacco Control), Government of India has prohibited the use and spitting of smokeless tobacco products, paan masala and areca nut (supari) in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
CADA also drew attention of the State Government to take up stringent actions against those involved in the transportion of non essential items.
CADA also appealed transporters to study the situation deeply and work responsibly.
Transporting non essential and carcinogenic eatables for petty gains while the State are facing shortage of essential commodities must be strictly avoided, CADA said.