Political hands block action against big wigs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 30 2010:
Even as two trucks carrying sugar, which is listed as PDS item were intercepted and kept at Thoubal police station, the Government is unable to take up any action against those involved behind the racket.
The two trucks carrying sugar and heading for Moreh were intercepted by personnel of 3rd IRB at Wangjing on August 21.The merchandise along with the trucks were seized and kept in Thoubal police station since then.
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Erabot personally went to Thoubal PS on August 23 in connection with the seizure and instructed the police to take up necessary action.
According to Thoubal police, Y Erabot personally inspected the seized sugar.
Even as the police have intimated the CAF&PD Department to send officials who can ascertain whether transportation of sugar to Moreh for trading was legal or not so that due formalities can be initiated, there has been no response from the department till date, conveyed the source.
Disclosing that the seized sugar belong to a member of the Moreh Chamber of Commerce, the source said that the owner had appealed to release the merchandise besides seeking explanation for detaining sugar loaded trucks.
So far, police are unable to give any satisfactory reply to the owner's enquiry.
On the other hand, Y Erabot has stated that he has instructed the OC of Thoubal police to take up befitting actions against those involved in secretly diverting the PDS item to Moreh.
In a message (W/T Message no, 3/14/2011/UAP/Sugar-CAF&PD) sent by the CAF&PD Director on August 28, the Thoubal Police was asked to take up a case under Essential Commodity Act 1955 and dispose the 'levy sugar', conveyed Erabot .