Post Acquittal of Lhukhosei Zou : CSOs seeks re-investigation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2020: After the Special Court, ND&PS released Lhukhosei Zou and several others in the high profile drug seizure case of 2018, several student bodies and civil organisations have raised suspicion of serious lapses in the prosecution of the case.

All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) United Peoples' Front (UPF), Manipur and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) have urged the State to reinvestigate or move the High Court regarding the case.

While stating that it respects the verdict of the Special Court of the ND & PS regarding the case, DESAM in a statement said they have suspicion that there must have been lapses in the investigation of the case and prosecution of the accused persons as well.

The transfer of several officers who were involved in the case and alleged involvement of politicians have deepened the suspicion.

To clear people's suspicion regarding the case, the State Government should approach the High Court and further pursue.

the case, it said.

Since the beginning of the War on Drugs launched by the State Government, there have been no major convictions in large drug haul cases.

Drug trafficking and abuse have been affecting the Manipuri society and the State Government must have the political will to face the problem of drugs effectively.

Leaders of the State must be sincere and dedicated to effectively root out drug menace, it said.

DESAM further noted that the State Government and its machinery should provide safety and security to witnesses in the drug related cases.

They (witness) should be able to testify in the cases without fear and intimidation, it added.

On the other hand, the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) alleged that the State's 'War on Drugs' has failed utterly and it needs to be rectified in time by the people.

The Governments in the Centre and the State have not been able to take concrete steps to curb the problem of drug trafficking in Manipur and the North- East region which are very close to the Golden Trian gle.

People of the State were very hopeful when the Government first launched "War on Drugs" .

However, it ap pears that the "War on Drugs" campaign was launched only to "gain popularity", AMSU alleged.

The student body also echoed the line of DESAM that witnesses in drug related cases should be provided security and safety to enable them testify freely without intimidation and threat.

The State Government should uphold democracy and the Legislature should not interfere into the functioning of the Executive and Judiciary and media, it said.

AMSU further stressed that the Government should reform police and take up drug de-addiction programmes.

Drug manufacturers and traffickers should be awarded punishment and sent to rehabilitation centres.

Without these reforms and measures, the "War on Drugs" would not be successful.

The student body further asked if the Government did not feel shame when Additional SP Th Brinda returned the Gallantry Award given to her.

Why has the Government not responded to allegations AMSU raised earlier on selection of "drug tainted" police officers for Gallantry Award? it asked.

"The Police Department which investigated the 2018 drug case should feel ashamed" as the prosecution has failed in the case.

The State Government has also "made a mock ery of the Sustainable Development Goal, 2030 which includes war on drugs".

The 2018 case should be re-inves tigated, said AMSU.

The United Peoples' Front, Manipur also urged the Gov ernment to show commitment in fighting drug menace and give timely befitting punishment to all those who are found guilty.

Even though many have been arrested in drug related cases, none of the high profile persons has been convicted so far and it has cast "doubts" in the minds of the people on the State's "War on Drugs" .

When the State and the prosecution fail, it is natural that the officer (Th Brinda) returns the Gallantry Award which was given for arresting the accused persons.

The State Government must commit to solving drug issues and ensure that this doesn't repeat.

Drug kingpins and traffickers should be given befitting punishments in time, said UPF.

Meanwhile, CADA held a sit-in protest asserting that the State Government's "War on Drugs" has failed.

The sit-in staged at Uyumpok Khunjao Community Hall appealed to the State Government to "sincerely and effectively" fight drug menace.

It may be noted that the organisations' appeals come after the Special Court ND&PS on December 17 convicted two persons and acquitted several others including former ADC Chandel Chairman Lhukhosei Zou in the 2018 drug haul case.

Notably, Lhukhosei Zou was arrested with sev eral others along with contraband items worth crores in June 2018 .

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