CSOs stage sit-in, women leaders submit representations to leaders. “Letting off the accused in multi-crore drug cases by seemingly collusion manner and convicting the small-time smugglers, can be seen as empowering the drug smugglers,” said CADA secretary finance Kakchingtabam Harichandra.
TFM Desk
Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and the Kalika Lairembi Women Welfare Association jointly organised a sit-in at Irilbung Kalika, Imphal East on Saturday against the acquittal of former Chandel ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou by an ND&PS Court on December 17, 2020. The court had acquitted seven accused while convicting two individuals, which the protestors described as “scapegoats”.
“It can be said that drug smugglers are treating Manipur as a safe haven to do business as the government is fighting against drugs in name only,” said CADA secretary finance Kakchingtabam Harichandra, while speaking about the issue at the sit-in, according to a release.
He further said that letting off the accused in multi-crore drug cases by seemingly collusion manner and convicting the small-time smugglers, can be seen as empowering the drug smugglers. People are confused by the act of letting off those who are wealthy and well connected, he added.
People are against the acquittal of Lhukhosei Zou from whose official quarter a huge amount of drugs were seized and recent discharging of the accused, including a Myanmar citizen, in connection with a case in which drugs worth Rs 400 crore were seized by Thoubal police, he asserted. He urged the government to re-investigate and punish the culprits as per the law.
Slogans like “Lhukhosei Zou thadokpa yaningde”, “Drug lallonba cheirak piyu” and “War on Drugs phagi tahanganu”, were also shouted by the protestors.
On the other hand, women organisations’ leaders led by Nupi Samaj president Th Ramani continue to submit representation to elected representatives and other concerned of the state pushing for appeal in a higher court against the verdict acquitting Lhukhosei Zou.
On Friday they submitted representations to Manipur Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Khongkham Robindro, MAHUD minister Okram Henry, Wangjing Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen and Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Binota Meinam. Leaders of All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj, Thoubal Ima, AMKIL, Tammi Chingmi, THANIL, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup, Apunba Nupi Lup, (ANUL) Bishnupur, Nongchup Imphal Palem Ima Apunba Lup (NIMPAL), Ireipak Enaat Chanura Loinasillon (ECHAL) and Meira Paibi were also present.