A CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: Musa Ahmed Siddiqui, the kingpin of the Burmese supari syndicate in the entire Northeast, has been sent to four days police remand by a Silchar court.
Musa, the most wanted mastermind of the supari syndicate who runs the entire network in the Northeast-bordering neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh, was arrested by Cachar police on Friday night. Originally from Nilambajar area of Karimganj, Musa settled in Mizoram and soon became the kingpin of Burmese supari syndicate. The Crime branch, which had been investigating the smuggling racket since Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge as Chief Minister, was also looking to nab Musa.
The all-out operation by Assam Police had seen the arrest of a good number of operators but the kingpin was yet to be nabbed. Cachar SP Nomal Mahato said, "Musa was hiding since the operation against the syndicate was launched. Through secret sources, Cachar police got to know that Musa was coming from Mizoram and was heading towards Kumbhirgram airport to catch a flight with the intention of flying out of the zone till the operation ebbs down", Mahato informed the press.
Musa, with his proximity with influential big shots, both in trading as well as in politics in other neighbouring states, used to get protection. But the moment he entered Assam, Musa got arrested by the State police, Mahato further added.
For last one-and-half years, Cachar police and crime branch of Assam police had arrested dozens of persons involved in running illegal trading of Burmese supari but interestingly, almost all of them were eventually released on bail. On the other hand, series of seizure of vehicles in recent times carrying smuggled consignments like supari, cigarette, heroin, Yaba tablets and even rare species animals, indicated the syndicate was being run in full swing.
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