Women groups take case to MPs, Dy CM, Speaker
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 12 2021: Urging the State Government to challenge the verdict passed by the ND&PS Special Court on December 17 last year with regard to the multi-crore drug haul case of 2018 at the High Court of Manipur, as many as 11 women organisations submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and Speaker Y Khemchand.

Notably, the same memorandum was submitted to the Governor and the Chief Minister on January 8.Members of All Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj), Thoubal Ima, All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), Tammi Chingmi, Thangmeiband Apunba Nupi Lup (THANIL), Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup, Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL), Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL), Eraipak Ennat Chanura Loinasinlon (EECHAL), Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup and many Meira Paibi organisations went to the residences of Y Joykumar, Dr RK Ranjan, Leishemba Sanajaoba and Y Khemchand and submitted the memorandum today.

Women groups take case to MPs, Dy CM, Speaker

They submitted the same memorandum to MPCC president Govindas Konthoujam, MPCC secretary Hareswar Goswami and Congress MLA K Ranjit yesterday.

Speaking to media persons after submitting the memorandum, All Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) vice-president Lourembam Nganbi expressed strong suspicion that there were either serious lapses or manipulation or both in the course of investigating the multi-crore drug seizure case of 2018.She also expressed resentment against how Chief Minister N Biren avoided them when they went to submit the memorandum.

The Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs ought to consider the demand raised by several organisations in the collective interest of the State.

However, the Chief Minister is yet to come out with a single comment on the memorandum which was submitted four days back, she decried.

Such indifference of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet Ministers reeks of sheer irresponsibility, she remarked.

The memorandum pointed out that thousands of people have been killed by alcohol, narcotic drugs and other intoxicating substances.

Amidst such grave situation, the menace of drug abuse, illicit trafficking, manufacturing of opioid derivatives (Brown Sugar) and mass cultivation of poppy have been spreading like wildfire in the State, it mentioned.

It also mentioned the acquittal of former Chandel ADC Chairman Lhukhosei Zou who was arrested with illegal narcotic drugs worth around Rs 27 crore from his official Lamphelpat quarters in the intervening night of June 19 and 20, 2018 .

Citing alleged strong pressure from political heavyweights, alleged attempt to remove charge sheet by a senior lawyer and a police officer, alleged kidnapping of Lhukhosei Zou by Myanmar based armed outfits, alleged loss of sample from NAB Malkhana and frequent transfer of Supervising Officer, Investigating Officer, Public Prosecutors and Judges, the memorandum expressed strong suspicion that the investigation of the case might have been tampered.

Asserting that it is the duty and responsibility of the State Government to move an appeal at the High Court of Manipur regarding the multi-crore drug haul case, the memorandum maintained that there is no reason for the State Government not to file an appeal at the High Court if the Government is honest to its slogan/campaign 'War on Drugs' .