Affidavit of lady police officer: MPCC bays for N Biren's head
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 15 2020: Citing an affidavit submitted by former Additional SP, NAB Thounaojam Brinda at the High Court of Manipur in connection with a drug seizure case, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has demanded resignation of Chief Minister N Biren on moral ground.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here this afternoon, MPCC president M Okendro noted that following massive surge in smuggling and seizure of illegal drugs, the Government launched a campaign christened 'war against drugs' .

But the affidavit submitted by the brave Additional SP contradicted the very spirit and letter of the campaign, he remarked.

Lhukhosei Zou who earlier served as BJP Chandel president and Chairman, ADC Chandel was arrested with a huge quantity of drugs from his Lamphelpat quarters on June 19, 2018, Okendro recalled.

Affidavit of lady police officer: MPCC bays for N Biren's head

He said that 4.595 Kgs of heroin (No 4), 2,80,200 number of WY tablets, Rs 57.18 lakh in cash and another Rs 95 lakh in the form of demonetised notes were seized from Lhukhosei's possession when he was arrested.

Saying that they have come across certain disturbing reports/comments disclosed by a brave police officer on social media and some local newspapers in connection with the drug seizure case, Okendro remarked that it is like pesticides being infected by pests and went on to ask if there is anyone people can trust these days.

He then urged the Government to convene a Cabinet meeting immediately and hand over the high profile drug case to the CBI.

An affidavit is not any ordinary document.

It is a document sworn in front of an Oath Commissioner by holding a holy book.

As Chief Minister N Biren has been indicted in the particular affidavit for exerting pressure upon the police officer, N Biren must step down from the seat of Chief Minister on moral ground, asserted the MPCC president.

Ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi remarked that the news report published in some local dailies yesterday regarding a high profile drug seizure case was not something new.

Notably, the High Court of Manipur registered a suo moto case against former Additional SP Th Brinda for behaving inappropriately inside the Court room when alleged drug kingpin Lhukhosei Zou was granted bail for three weeks.

Responding to the suo moto case, Th Brinda submitted an affidavit to the High Court on July 13.The affidavit says that pressure was exerted on her by different quarters, including a person claiming to be a close acquaintance of the Chief Minister, and top police officers in favour of the accused.

She said such high-profile persons were looting the State and destroying the youth.

She said that the State Government's 'war against drugs' was only an eyewash aimed at scoring political advantage.

Congress party had already raised strong suspicion on the floor of the State Assembly about involvement of some very powerful individuals in the high profile drug smuggling case, Ibobi said.

According to the affidavit submitted by Th Brinda to the High Court of Manipur, Lhukhosei Zou is the right hand of Olish who is said to be very close to Chief Minister N Biren.

BJP Manipur Pradesh vice-president M Asnikumar came to the former ASP repeatedly with the Chief Minister's message that Lhukhosei Zou should be released under any circumstance.

Moreover, some high ranking police officers exerted strong pressure on Th Brinda to withdraw the chargesheet submitted against Lhukhosei Zou at Court, according to the affidavit.

Following publication of news reports based on the affidavit, Chief Minister N Biren said on Tuesday that the BJP-led Government would not spare anyone who is involved in the 2018 drugs smuggling case.

"Our Government's war against drugs will continue and no party involved, whether friend or relative, will be spared under the present BJP regime in the State," said Biren while refraining from further comments on the allegation levelled by the police officer.

"The matter is sub judice, it would not be legally proper to comment," the Chief Minister said.

Reacting to N Biren's clarification, O Ibobi asserted that what really matters is not the Chief Minister's assurance not to spare anyone, whether relatives or friends, involved in the drug smuggling case.

What matters is who would investigate the high profile case or whether the case would be handed over to those high ranking police officers who were asking the particular ASP to withdraw the chargesheet filed against Lhukhosei Zou, Ibobi said.

He then suggested that the case should be handed over to a neutral and independent agency like the CBI.

Instead of promising not to spare anyone, the Chief Minister should have convened a Cabinet meeting yesterday itself and adopted a decision to hand over the case to the CBI, Ibobi said.

What the people wish is concrete action, not impressive rhetoric nor empty promises, he added.