Tobacco items worth Rs 1.72 cr burnt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 17 2013: Huge quantity of banned tobacco products worth Rs 1.72 crores seized from 10 individuals in May by the Assam Rifles were consigned to the flames at a Chandel district area on July 15 .

According to Food Safety Officer (FSO), Chandel Elvison Thouman the impounded tobacco products comprising of Zarda and Golden Khaini were consigned to flames at a river bank near Japhou bazar in Chandel district on July 15 .

The banned items were reportedly seized by troops of 20 Assam Rifles led by Assistant Commandant Nihal Singh on May 28 at Larong village area and handed over to a team of Food Safety Office, Chandel the next day.

The tobacco items were impounded while being transported to Moreh from Churachandpur in two Tata Sumos (MN01/W4861 & MN01/W4461) and two Shaktiman trucks (MN04/A7899 & MN04/A4006) by 10 individuals, detailed the FSO.

In all 6769 packets of Zarda, each pack containing 10 pieces and 1458 packets of Golden Khaini each made of 30 pieces were seized from the individuals.

Tobacco items before burning

Those detained in connection with case have been identified as Lalam (40) w/o Khakai of Moreh W/N 7, Hitin Haokip (36) w/o Soson of Moreh W/N 7, Rengneilen Aimol (24) s/o (L) Sumtinson of Khudengthabi, Wangton (27) s/o (L) Obson of Lamkang Khunou, Kismahom (47) s/o (L) aber of Kakching Makha Leikai, Thanggin (25) s/o (L) Jamkhohem of Shokam village in Sugnu, Amang Haokip (24) s/o (L) A Jang of Bongyang village, SS Bengam (28) s/o SS Betoi of Kongpi village near Pallel, J Wangring (28) s/o Khaithoi of Khunkha village near Pallel and Holmang Baite (40) s/o (L) Chungkholun of Makhao Mollum village in Churachandpur district.

Informing that the 10 persons have been detained for violation of a Government prohibitory order under Section 58 of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, Elvison said due legal process is underway for further punitive action against the individuals.

It is said that representatives of village authorities, NGOs and district police were present at the time of destroying the seized tobacco products.

Elvison also informed that the consignment brought from Churachandpur district were being taken to Myanmar after skipping Pallel police outpost but were seized by the AR troops at Larong village near Moreh.