IT News
Imphal, July 30:
The All Tribal Rights’ Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has expressed strong resentment to see the increasing events of smuggling drugs and transportation of tobacco items.
“We don’t want to point out any particular incident of caught or arrest as not only those incidents are the true picture of the situation, there are numbers of cases which are not make known to the public but settled among the parties or the authorities have no knowledge about it”, a statement said while demanding CBI enquiry to the numerous drug smuggling case.
The ATRPFM however appreciated the slogan of the Chief Minister’s “Fight against Drugs”, but said that the actual facts on the ground looks quite opposite which is a great disappointment for the general public.
“There are allegations and counter-allegations among elected people representatives, CSOs and police officers. This is a clear indication that there is something wrong in the system and we are pretty sure that smuggling drugs and transportation of tobacco products and availability of such products in the retail shops with much higher prices than the actual prices in spite of Covid-19 protocols, there are links between smugglers and transporters of such products and some public leaders,” it added.
The forum said that there are already series of incidents in connection with smuggling of drugs and transportation of tobacco items since for the last few years and in almost all major such incidents, there are allegations of involvements of elected representatives. Consumption of tobacco products are make an offense, however, ironically, transportation and availability of such products with much higher prices are left unchecked which is a great financial burden for the ordinary people. In addition to already suffering of the common people due to long period of lockdown, prices of essential commodities and tobacco products carry hefty price tag. A situation where the rich becomes much richer and poor becomes much poorer has been created with unfair commercial activities. Thus, the actual intention of the State Government and law enforcing agencies becomes questionable.
The ATRFM also recalled the case of Addl. SP, Thounaojam Brinda and said that the incident further created doubts about the transparency, accountability, integrity and sincerity of the State government in fighting against drugs. As far as our knowledge is concerned, Th. Brinda is committed in the matter of drugs with sincerity and integrity in all respects in spite of all odds she has been facing to save the future generations of our people and the State Government is not expected to fight against such a committed police officer if the slogan “Fight against Drugs” is to be translated into action. The ATRPFM said demanding CBI enquiries in all major cases without distinction as to status, power or political affiliation for the ends of justice and in public interest.