Imphal, October 23: Claiming responsibility, the proscribed outfit Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) has stated that Prashad (35) who worked as an agent of Mithamana, Zarda and Kheini at Ningthoukhong was awarded capital punishment yesterday at around 6.30 pm for failing to heed to the repeated warnings of the outfit.

In a statement, assistant secretary, communication and publicity of the outfit Lily Leima said that Prashad had been working as an agent of Zarda, Kheini and Mithamana in the State for the last 15 years.

Inspite of the ban imposed on Zarda and Kheini by the outfit long ago and the subsequent ban on Mithamana since October 15 this year, Prashad continued to supply these harmful substances with complete disregard to the warnings given to him, the statement said, while explaining that he was punished out of necessity.

While acknowledging the co-operation of the people in the ongoing drive against consumption and selling of harmful tobacco products, RPF categorically stated that the agents of Zarda, Kheini and Mithamana should give up their trades before they met with similar fate like that of Prashad as no more warning would be given in this regard.

Meanwhile, the outfit intercepted a truck load of Mithamana brought in through the Indian Airlines from near the Imphal market at around 4 pm today and later destroyed the same in front of mediapersons somewhere in Imphal West district.

According to a spokesperson of the department of CNP of the outfit, the said consignment of Mithamana belongs to one Gupta and the monetary value of the destroyed Mithamana is estimated to be around Rs 15 lakhs.

Asking him to surrender to the outfit within five days from today, the spokesperson that Gupta would be given capital punishment if he fails to do so.

The outfit has also given last warning to Indian Airlines as well as to other transport agencies against helping in bringing in such banned substances into the State in future.

The outfit has also taken serious note of the alleged indulges of the State Police Commandos in helping the agents to lift the banned substances from the airport to the market.

On the other hand, Kakching Bazar Business Welfare Association has informed that a large quantity of tobacco products handed over voluntarily by the shopkeepers during a drive at Kakching Bazar has been set flame and destroyed at Kakching Bazar Naohallai ground this afternoon.

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