Hand over all drug cases to CBI: MPCC President
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2023: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra has asked the State Government to hand over all drug seizure cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including those cases which were reported during the Congress Government.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, K Meghachandra proposed that all drug seizure cases which were reported between 2012 and 2023 (till date) be handed over to CBI and let the Central agency investigate these cases freely.

During the Congress Government headed by Okram Ibobi, a huge consignment of drugs was seized at Pallel from some individuals including a military officer.

Subsequent upon the seizure, the military officer was dismissed from service.

Following strong public pressure about involvement of one relative of O Ibobi in a drug case, the particular case was handed over to the CBI, the MPCC president reminded before asking the BJP-led Government as to why none of the d ug seizure cases reported during its period have been handed over to the CBI.

Even after knowing that some high profile police officers were involved in the Lhukhosei Zou drug case of over Rs 400 crore, they were let off on bail instead of handing over the case to the CBI, Meghachandra said.

He went on to question if the same move was a strategy of the War on Drugs.

Reacting to certain statements made by the Chief Minister regarding the seizure of a huge consignment of drugs from commando personnel by Kakching district police on January 16 at Pallel (Kuraopokpi), Meghachandra said that he was surprised and shocked on learning about the seizure of drugs from the commando personnel and that he went to the office of the Kakching SP to laud his dedication to duty.

"It sounds rather hilarious that Chief Minister N Biren was saying that an FIR would be registered against me for going to the office of the Kakching SP without permission.

I went to the SP's office to congratulate his achievement", the MPCC president said.

"As we were being seen off by the SP, some media persons who were present there after covering the SP's press meet came to me and asked about my opinion as MPCC president regarding the drug seizure case", Meghachandra said.

Clarifying that he did not convene any press conference at the office of the SP, he asked if there is any rule which says that no Congress president or MLA is allowed to go to the office of the SP.

There is no rule which prohibits an MLA from visiting any part of a democratic country.

Taking photographs and videos inside the office of the SP is also not covered by the Officials Secrecy Act, Meghachandra asserted.

It would be prudent for all concerned to first check whether registering an FIR against an MLA for congratulating a police officer amounts to breach of privilege or not.

Veteran politician O Joy who was present at the press meet said that an MLA enjoys certain Constitutional power, privileges and immunity.

It is not a crime for an MLA to visit the office of a Government employee.

MLAs are allowed by law and Parliamentary practices to visit Government offices, Joy said.

If the Government is contemplating FIR against MLA K Meghachandra for visiting the SP's office, it is a clear case of breach of privilege, Joy added.

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