Acquittal of main accused in 2018 drug haul case More urge Govt to move higher Court

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 23: Several organisations including CADA (Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol) have also demanded the State to move the higher Court in the 2018 drug haul case.
In separate statements, the organisations, CADA, USER Manipur and Thoubal Ima (Thoubal District United Women’s Development Organisation) said that the State should further pursue the case and strengthen war on drugs.
Serving a one month ultimatum to the Government to appeal to a higher Court, CADA said that volunteers of Nupi Khunnai Apunba Lup staged a sit-in at Lamsang market demanding the same.
It said that the one month ultimatum started from the day (December 17) Special Court ND&PS released then accused Lhukhosei Zou in the 2018 multi crore drug haul case. The State, prosecutor and Investigating Officer should appeal/move a higher Court, it added.
Voicing the same demand for appeal in a higher Court, USER Manipur, in its statement said that the  crippling of human resources due to the continuous onslaught of drugs has created havoc in nook and corner of the State. There is need for a transparent trial system of drug haul cases as there are less convictions in major drug haul cases for the last so many years, it said urging the Government to further appeal the case in a higher Court at the earliest possible time to avoid unwanted chaos in the society.
It also appealed for formulation of a State specific rule under NDPS Act 1985 in consultation with the relevant civil stakeholders at the earliest. Formulating certain rules for greater involvement of masses in drug response would enhance Government's effort to curb the drug menace, USER Manipur said.
Thoubal Ima also urged the State to appeal the case in a higher Court and strengthen the war on drugs.