Imphal, December 08 2008: The report of the investigation into the seizure of 13 urea laden trucks along Imphal-Moreh road at Molnom by troops of 20 Assam Rifles on October 7 while it was being taken to Moreh to be smuggled to Myanmar has indicted both the State police and the Assam Rifles personnel for taking money from the fertiliser transporters for ensuring smooth passage along the Imphal-Moreh Road.

According to a highly reliable source, the report of the investigation conducted by an IG of the State Police Department was submitted to the DGP on November 25 last.

The investigation was ordered to find out the possible involvement of security personnel in the attempt to smuggle in 13 urea laden trucks into Myanmar which was supposed to be distributed among the farmers at subsidised rate by the Government.

During the course of the investigation, the IG had recorded the statements of the Commandos, IRB and Police personnel as well as the owners of the trucks and the seized urea.

While establishing that smuggling of urea into Myanmar through Imphal-Moreh route has been a regular affair, the report of the investigation, however, noted that no record of such smuggling has been ever entered in the check posts of the Police, Assam Rifles and other agencies that have been set up all along the route.

The investigation report of the IG pointed out that smuggling of the Urea load to Myanmar is being done at opportune moments every now and then after stocking up the load at Thoubal and Kakching areas.

However, while recording the statements of the Commandos and IRB personnel in connection with the incident, most of them maintained that they have no idea as they were engaged in other duty.

As for taking the route from Heikakpokpi to Machi Lamkhai by the urea smugglers to proceed to Myanmar, the investigation report established that it is to avoid numerous check posts located along the ImphalMoreh road where the smugglers have to pay money for allowing smooth passage.

The check post where the money is paid always allow the trucks to pass through within its jurisdiction without any hindrance.

There are check posts which demand upto Rs 5000 from each of the urea laden trucks.

Thus besides smugglers and urea owners, the personnel of Police, Assam Rifles, CID, Customs, Forest, etc who are posted along this route dip their fingers into the illegal trade.

Therefore, the investigation report of the IG has taken note of the possible instigation to effect the seizure of the 13 urea laden trucks by providing specific information as some of the check posts had not been getting any money after the transportation of smuggled urea started through the route from Heikakpokpi to Machi-Lamkhai.

The report of the investigation further established that a truck driver who is engaged for the purpose of smuggling the fertiliser to Myanmar is paid Rs 600 per day besides meeting other expenses like fooding and lodging by the owner and the expenditure spent on bribing the numerous check posts is more than the expenditure on transportation of the fertiliser.

The investigation of the IG led to identification of two urea owners who are involved in this particular case.

Though the statement of one of the owners has been recorded, the other did not responded to the summon for recording his statement.

Instead he send one of his relatives, according to the source.

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