IMPHAL, April 20: The inclusion of Okram Henry’s name, a nephew of the State Chief Minister, in the charge-sheet submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the seizure of a huge quantity of drugs at the Imphal Airport in 2013 has hinted at the direct involvement of the Congress in the drug smuggling case, BJP MLA Khumukcham Joykishan told media persons today.
Speaking at a press conference held at his Thangmeiband residence, he said considering the welfare of the State, it would be advisable for the Chief Minister to resign on moral grounds along with MPCC president TN Haokip, whose son Seikholien Haokip was also involved in the illegal drug seizure case.
Drugs affect the entire society and just those who abuse it, he said, stressing further that both the young ones who abuse drugs and their entire family suffer due to drugs.
He continued the Congress has always shown a lenient handling of the drug issue in the State.
The Congress ministers and the MLAs are still silent on the issue and continue to support Okram Ibobi as the Chief Minister which could mean that the entire party supports drug smuggling.
He further questioned the reason for failure of the Congress ministers and MLAs to voice dissatisfaction against the Chief Minister on the issue.
Now the public should question whether Okram Ibobi Singh and TN Haokip are not involved in the case since both Henry and Seikholein are involved in the case, he demanded.
He further lamented that the State government had to transfer Inspector K Ranjit who had led the Special Investigation Unit during the seizure of the large consignment of drugs from the airport.
Ranjit was transferred to the Wangoo Police Station instead of awarding the police officer for his work, he claimed.
On the other hand, just after the drug seizure case, the government all of a sudden disbanded the SIU which was constituted to control smuggling in the State, Joykishan asserted further questioning the reason for the sudden act.
He said it seems that the incumbent Congress government doesn’t want existence of the intelligence unit investigation further into drug smuggling.
The smugglers under the shelter of the government are spoiling the lives of our younger generation for a few rupees, he said alleging the Congress of being part of the drug smuggling.
Meanwhile, he further warned that the BJP will launch several forms of agitations in different parts of the State against the smugglers and the Congress government.
A sit in protest will be staged on April 24 organised by the Thangmeiband BJP Mandal, he said, appealing to the people, local clubs and organisations to join and support the agitation.