Imphal, November 30: Terming State�s law enforcing agencies as naive on laws covering marketing and sale of pharmaceutical items and condemning the arrest of a medical stockist, Manipur Chemist & Druggists Association (MCD) and All India Organisation of Chemist and Druggists (AIOCD) have served a deadline to withdraw the FIR within two months failing which intense agitation would be launched.

Expressing strong resentment at the arrest of L Nandakumar of M/s Kangla Pharma Agency yesterday, MCDA and AIOCD office bearers in a hurriedly convened press conference announced their line of agitation in pursuit of their demands.

Contending that arrest of Nandakumar on charges of dealing in banned cough syrup containing codeine is inappropriate and reflects naivety of law enforcing agencies regarding rules governing supply and sale of pharmaceutical items, the bodies threatened to cease marketing drugs having psychotropic ingredients in the entire region if State Government does not reciprocate positively to the demand to withdraw the FIR filed against the dealer.

Affirming that members of the two organisations would not tolerate threat or intimidation from any quarters, AIOCD representatives announced cessation of sale of such drugs starting with Manipur with immediate effect.

Describing arrest of Nandakumar and being put in a police lockout as illegal and as an act of high-handedness of law enforcing agencies without verifying rules of law, the representatives also presented a detailed account leading to the condemnable arrest.

Mention may be made that personnel of Imphal West Narcotics Cell seized 1500 bottles of cough syrup brand named �Montokuf� from a bus at North AOC parking yesterday.

The cough syrups banned by the Government was sent from Guwahati addressed to M/s Kangla Pharma Agency and was impounded when the consignment was being unloaded.

Subsequently, proprietor of the firm - L Nandakumar - was arrested despite his denial of ordering the same.

I have never placed order to the drug manufacturing company for the cough syrup and the same was sent without my knowledge thereby not liable for action by the State authorities, claimed Nandakumar who has been released on bail.

Endorsing Nandakumar claim as innocent and elucidating on the legal aspect of the seizure, MCDA general secretary Dr RK Ratankumar Singh pointed out that the seizure was not made from the godown but merely from the street.

According to provisions of company Law until and unless the receiver receives any consignment the legal possessor of the item sent is the sender, Dr Ratankumar maintained.

Regarding news report of State Government prohibiting stocking of codeine-contained cough syrups to not more than 500 bottles especially meant for emergency purpose, the general secretary denying knowledge of such orders insisted that notification, if any, was not issued to the Association officially.

Reiterating that no official intimation was notified to the pharmaceutical Association, he also decried law enforcing agencies not complying to certain regulations pertaining to dealings in drug case.

Joining the media briefing, joint secretary of AIOCD�s North East Zone K Sagar Meitei conveyed of sending a representation addressed to the sale manager (Bio Life) Shreya Life Sciences Pvt Ltd - manufacturer of the cough syrup seeking a clarification on why the restricted stuff was dispatched to Kangla Pharma Agency without the owner�s knowledge.

Regretting that due to lapses by the manufacturer Nandakumar had to endure inconveniences in the police cell for a day for no fault of his (Nandakumar), Sagar Meitei conveyed that the representation mentioned of non-cooperation movement against the company throughout the NE region in case of failure to issue clarification.

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