PANDM confiscates tobacco products

IMPHAL, Sep 2
People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) today raided a store which had stored chewable tobacco products along Ngari Gali in Khwairamband Keithel.
PANDM, in a press release, noted that a huge amount of zarda, shikhar khaini, pan masala, pan parag, gutkha items was confiscated from the store owned by one Jakku Roy.
PANDM stated that the raid was conducted as the store owner disregarded earlier warnings issued to stop selling such items, it said.
The seized items filled in nearly 6/7 gunny bags have been handed over to the officials of Food Safety Department officials and the person who is one of the main suppliers of tobacco products in Khwairamband Keithel warned, it said.
The store owner has also been using a few locals as his pawns and had intimidated the PANDM volunteers who were part of the raid. He also contacted police but police personnel instead of taking his side assisted the volunteers and Food Safety Department officials in the drive after arriving shortly, it said while applauding the police personnel and the officer leading the team.
Asserting that names of the locals working under Jakku Roy will be disclosed shortly, PANDM went on to say that the organisation has information about daily transactions of nearly Rs 60-70 lakh at the store before the items reach different corners of the State.
These intoxicants are being sold at high prices in the State and have been not only ruining people economically but also causing health hazard, said PANDM while drawing the attention of the State Government to take necessary measures as done against narcotic substances under war on drugs.
PANDM went on to say that it will continue to carry out similar drives in the future and sought support from all sections of the society.