Govt accused of covering up Pallel drug case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 25 2023:
Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee leader Ningthoujam Popilal has expressed suspicion of possible involvement of high profile and powerful hands behind the drug trade in the state considering BJP government's refusal to hand over the Pallel drug haul case to the CBI and attempt to divert the issue by politicising it.
Addressing a press meet at Congress Bhawan here on Wednesday, Popilal said that the Pallel drug haul case was one of the rare drug busts in the state as it involved uni formed personnel.
On that day, MPCC president was attending a programme nearby and upon hearing the report went to the district SP's office to show appreciation for the drug bust.
However, it is unfortunate that the BJP govern ment is trying to divert the issue by levelling allegations against the MPCC president, who simply proposed the government to transfer the case to CBI since there are possibilities of involvement of high profile individuals in that particular case.
People of the state do not believe that the CDO personnel are the real owners of the drug trade but they are afraid to raise their voice against the dictatorship style government.
As such, Congress, as a responsible opposition party, raised the demand in the larger interest of the society and its people, and most importantly for truth and transparency, Popilal reasoned.
While terming as surprising that the BJP government fought back fiercely to the idea of transferring the case to CBI, he observed that instead of handing over the case to CBI, the government is now trying to discredit the MPCC president which has only heightened the suspicion of high profile hands involving in the drug trade.
He further said that a high profile minister in the Biren government attended a festival in Moreh on January 15.The minister left for Imphal on the same night while the CDO personnel were apprehended with the huge consignment of drugs on the next morning at around 7.As such there is an air of distrust and suspicion among the public and Congress party simply brought forth the sentiments of the public.
Regarding the remark of chief minister N Biren over drug cases during Congress re* gime, Popilal said that the previous Congress government never rejected any demand for transferring drug cases to CBI.
It was the Congress government that transferred the airport drug case to CBI following public demand, he reminded.
On the other hand, the BJP government never transferred any major drug case to CBI despite hue and cry from the public.
The case of Lukhosei Zou and 2019 drug bust of drugs worth Rs 400 crore involving a Myanmarese national are some major drug cases that occurred during the tenure of CM Biren and yet his govern ment refused to transfer the case to CBI.
As for Congress, the party has no problem in transferring any or all of the drug related cases occurred during its rule to CBI but the question is whether the BJP government will transfer the case to CBI or not, he said.
The society is fighting the war on drugs today and one cannot claim victory when the number of drug users is increasing every day.
It is questionable how a CDO team crossed all the major check points with such huge consignment of drugs.
People suspect that some powerful hands could be behind the illegal trade, he said while suggesting that the government identify those powertul hands instead of trying to divert the issue.
He also demanded responsible leaders and DGP to resign on moral ground.
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