Cachar police intercepts 8,476 bags of fertiliser, nine arrested so far: SP

Silchar, Feb 5: Cracking down on the rampant run of syndicates, especially supari and fertilizer, Cachar Police claimed to have arrested nine persons including eight drivers and intercepted as many as 8,476 bags of fertilizer so far since the last week of January which was being illegally transported from the Government store.

Elaborating on the issue, Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur told media persons on Friday that since the Government under Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge, the mandate has been made crystal clear- the priority is good governance and Assam Police, being very much a part of the stance, is acting hard against all kinds of crime and cracking down syndicates of all forms.

"Government of Assam procures fertilizers at a subsidized rate from the Government of India for the betterment of the local farmers and benefiting the local economy. But the foul players, for their gains, are transporting the fertilizer consignment to Mizoram. Since the last week of January this year, Cachar Police has been able to intercept as many as 8,476 bags of fertilizers, each bag containing approximately 60-70 kg being illegally transported. 8 drivers and a person who is the owner of a godown have been arrested so far and we are probing the issue with a vigorous and rigorous approach. Police have also raided a godown which was used to transport fertilizers from various districts of Assam," the SP said.

She added that investigation is underway to delve into the root of the developments and trace the persons behind diverting the fertiliser consignments from Government stock.

On the issue of alleged illegal transport of betel nuts and more precisely the Burmese supari, the SP said that while the police is rigorously acting to nab the foul players and put an end to the plying of vehicles illegally carrying Burmese supari, the criminals are using Silchar as a transit route for the illegal transportation. "Syndicates operating in various parts of the state are very deep-rooted. Cachar and Silchar in particular get highlighted because it is a transit route. The illegal transportation of Burmese supari using Silchar as a transit route is affecting the revenue of the Government of India. Various vehicles used for illegal transportation of supari were intercepted and persons have been arrested in the past few months and appropriate action is being taken. One person from Cachar was arrested and Guwahati Police is carrying out an investigation based on a registered case. The ICs and OCs stationed in Cachar along the route from Mizoram to Meghalaya via Cachar district were called on at Guwahati to build on the ongoing investigation based on certain information. Information in this regard had to be dealt with by the local police and as a part of it; I went to the Crime Branch and have also interrogated the persons who are out there and police working on the investigation not only in supari syndicate but also on other aspects as well," the Cachar SP maintained.

While she urged people to cooperate with Police in bringing any suspected movement to notice, she said the media, as a pillar of democracy, plays a very important role and should present the actual information instead of basing the news on flimsy information. Speaking on the action against drugs, Kaur informed that strict action is being taken against drug peddlers and many persons were also apprehended.

Asked about the steps taken by police on the unabated incidents of snatching across Silchar town, The Cachar SP said that a process is underway to nab the people behind the crime. She said that so far, it is understood that an inter-district gang is operating to manifest such crimes but all criminals will be arrested soon.

Meanwhile, Special Director General of Police (DGP) Law and Order GP Singh in a tweet urged people to share information leading to pilferage of fertilisers with district police or at higher levels. Those providing information would be suitably rewarded and recognised.