Two UG groups involved in drug smuggling, charges addl DGP

IMPHAL, February 5: The Additional Director General of Police, C Peter today charged that two underground organisations in Manipur are smuggling drugs from Myanmar to Manipur. He, however, did not disclose the name of the organisations. Addressing a press conference at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles today, the Addl DGP said there are intelligence reports that two underground organisations are trafficking drug. He further said a team of United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDP), during their recent visit to Imphal, expressed to Manipur Government their suspicion of involvement of underground groups in drug trafficking from Myanmar to Manipur. Quoting intelligence reports, the Addl DGP said about five kg of drugs are being smuggled in Manipur on daily basis and 150 kgs per month. The smuggled drug is worth Rs 150 crores in the international market and Rs 150 lakhs in the local market, he said. With the State facing fund constraints, the underground organisations are also having the same problem. To augment their Source they take to smuggling drugs, the police officer said. Without training the organisations the Addl DGP said one is a valley based group while the other is based in both the valley and the hill. He, however, refused to disclose the name of the organisations. Stating that about 90 per cent of the population of the State are facing pressure from underground organisations Peter said steps have been taken to check the activities of the organisations. He further informed that cordon and search operations are being launched by police teams. Commandos, IRB, MR and CRPF personnel are guarding 27 Government offices in Imphal area and mini operations are launched in office complexes, he said.