SIU abolished after drug scandal
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 15 2013:
Four days after a huge consignment of Pseudoephedrine tablets worth around Rs 1.4 crore were seized from Tulihal Airport, Imphal, the only Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) in the state based in Imphal West district has been abolished.
Exact reason for abolition of the unit which has been actively engaged in seizure of illegal drugs and intoxicants in the state is not yet known.
However, SP Imphal West K Jayenta told Hueiyen Lanpao that it is a matter of internal arrangement.
The order for abolition of the Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) of Imphal West came this evening from SP Imphal West K Jayenta.
The order has also instructed all the officers and other personnel engaged with the unit from different police stations/branches to report to their former places of postings immediately.
Mention may be made that the unit was formed on May 6 last year.
Since its inception, the unit had seized large amount of illegal drugs on numerous occasions including large consignments of drugs from Tulihal Airport three times.
While public are expecting for similar units in other districts, the order of abolishing SIU of Imphal West has put a question mark in the mind of the people.
Even though the State Police Department has quoted various other reasons for the abolition, public have suspected that the decision may be related with the seizure of drugs worth Rs 1.4 crore from Tulihal Airport on January 11 by Inspector K Ranjit, who stated that some high profile persons might be involved in the drug cartel.
Interestingly, personnel who seized the drugs have not been given any praise from the higher officials.
In fact, some of the higher officials in the Police Department have showed personal interest into the case and All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) has asked the owners of the seized drugs to disclose their identity and apologise to the public before it reveals their identities.
On the other hand, SIU team led by Inspector K Ranjit had seized drugs on many occasions.
He had even nabbed 10 UG cadres during his stint in the unit.
Since its inception, the unit had seized 451148 strips of Pseudoephedrine tablets, 1.650 kg of opium, 52 logs of Red Sandalwood, 52,000 litres of Kerosene oil, 77 Gas cylinders, fake certificates, four seals, one Tata truck and three Honda Activas.
In the latest, the unit along with the Narcotic Cell seized around two lakh strips of Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets from Tulihal Airport which were brought from Kolkata yesterday.