Huge quantity of tobacco products seized
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 28 2020: A large quantity of tobacco products were seized from the residence of an individual this morning by local 'Meira Paibis' at Luwangshangbam Mamang Leikai in Imphal East and disposed.

Speaking to media persons, Luwangshangbam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup secretary general Mangsatabam Leima Devi said morning joggers at about 5.30 saw a truck escorted by IRB personnel entering the residence of Laishram (O) Purnima Devi (62), wife of late L Birchandra.

Finding it suspicious, local Meira Paibis raided the house and found a large quantity of tobacco products like Talab, Zarda, Khaini, etc packed in around 130 boxes, she said.

Huge quantity of tobacco products seized

The seized items were destroyed at Luwangshang-bam Maning Ching area.

The quantity was so large that two tractors and a Tata DI truck were used to carry it to the disposal site, she said.

The woman leader said they were threatened at first that the said items belong to an MLA, but who exactly was not revealed by the person who threatened them.

She questioned "if MLAs and Ministers are smuggling tobacco products during lockdown/curfew using State security personnel as escorts then what's the meaning of War on Drugs".

Spitting after eating tobacco products in public places and profit minded people smuggling tobacco products are also major risk factors in the spread of the contagion, she added.

Meanwhile, Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) has lauded the womenfolks who took part in today's drive.

"If this kind of drive is conducted in every locality by the local Meira Paibis then we can successfully save the society from the decay of drug abuse and other addictive substances," CADA said in a statement.

State security personnel escorting the truck used in smuggling tobacco products shows that someone who is well connected in the Government is involved in the crime, CADA said while demanding the Government to bring out the person involved without considering the connections and take legal course of action.