Manipur: Women Organisations Oppose Verdict on Multi Crore Drug Haul Case in 2018, Submits Memorandum

Representatives of several women organisations led by the All Manipur Women's Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) president Th Ramani marched towards the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister's Office from the Lamphelpat office of Nupi Samaj at around 11.30 am on Friday. But the activists were blocked by a police team near the Lamphel traffic island which resulted in a brief stand-off.

Members of Nupi Samaj, AMKIL, ANUL, EECHAL, Tammi Chingmi Nupi Lup, Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup, THANIL among others took part in submitting the memorandum.

Another police team led by the Imphal West Additional SP came to the scene and took some of the women leaders to the Chief Minister's bungalow; and eight among them were allowed to submit their memorandum to the CM.

In the meantime, a large number of women activists marched to the Chief Minister's bungalow. But they were blocked by police and driven back till the Nupi Lan complex.

There they waited for their eight representatives who had proceeded to the Chief Minister's office. The women agitators were soon joined by their representatives; and they shouted slogans at the spot.

Soon, heated arguments ensued between the women activists and police. Subsequently, the police allowed a few representatives of the protesting women to go inside the Raj Bhavan and submit their memorandum to the Governor.

Speaking to media persons after coming out of the Raj Bhavan, Th Ramani said that they could not meet the Chief Minister or the Governor but the memorandum was submitted through their respective staff.

She also said that the contemporary Manipuri society is facing a very precarious situation because some powerful people have been doing whatever they wish as per their whim and fancy.

The memorandum pointed out that thousands of people were killed by alcohol, narcotic drugs, and other intoxicating substances. Amidst such a grave situation, the menace of drug abuse, illicit trafficking, manufacturing of opioid derivatives (Brown Sugar) and mass cultivation of poppy have been spreading like wildfire in the State, it mentioned.

They opposed the acquittal of former Chandel ADC Chairman Lhukhosei Zou who was arrested with illegal narcotic drugs worth around Rs 27 crore from his official Lamphelpat quarters in the intervening night of June 19 and 20, 2018.

Citing alleged strong pressure from political heavyweights to remove the chargesheet by a senior lawyer and a police officer, the alleged kidnapping of Lhukhosei Zou by Myanmar-based armed outfits, alleged loss of sample from NAB Malkhana and frequent transfer of Supervising Officer, Investigating Officer, Public Prosecutors, and Judges, the memorandum expressed strong suspicion that the investigation of the case might have been tampered with.

Asserting that it is the duty and responsibility of the State Government to move an appeal at the High Court of Manipur regarding the multi-crore drug haul case, the memorandum maintained that there is no reason for the State Government not to file an appeal at the High Court if the Government is honest to its slogan/campaign 'War on Drugs'. (Agencies)

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