\nGiving out the details that led to the arrest, Addl. DCP & PRO Dimapur police said that a written complaint was filed by ACAUT member Hukiye Yepthomi that 500 bags of FCI rice were being repacked in white synthetic bags and that around 3500 jute gunny bags of FCI rice were found inside M\/s Lotha Trading Agency located at Lhomithi colony.
\nAs per the complaint, it was pointed out that the packages, meant for the poor, were being diverted to the open market. \u201cThat, Mr. Tinku (M\/S Lotha Trading Agency) is dealing in an illegal activity. It also alleged that the godown is private and the storage of FCI items in such also attracts culpability of the involvement in the racket of the nodal department- F&CS,\u201d PRO said quoting the FIR.
\nAnother FIR was filed by the same complainant on the same lines that 3500 bags of FCI rice packed in white synthetic bags and about 1850 jute gunny bags were found in the godown of M\/s R.Z. Lotha located at Kevijau colony Dimapur, PRO said. The FIR also alleged that Nirmal Jain (M\/S R.Z.Lotha) was dealing in an illegal activity.
\nBased on these two complaints, PRO said a case was registered at sub-urban police station under Essential Commodities Act.
\nLater, PRO said the two godowns were sealed for investigation and police arrested one Mintu Tiwari, office caretaker of the two godowns on Sunday. With regards to Tinku and Nirmal, PRO said both were not found to be in station.
\nFurther, PRO said a counter-FIR was lodged at sub-urban police by Mr. R.Z. Lotha of M\/S Lotha Trading Company alleging that a group of 40-70 persons illegally intruded into the godowns owned by him at Kevijau and Lhomithi colonies on December 9.
\nIn this regard, PRO said police arrested three ACAUT members– Joel Nillo; Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi, prima facie on the grounds of \u201ccriminal trespass\u201d. The arrested persons were then forwarded to the court, PRO added.
\nOn December 12, police said another FIR was filed at the sub-urban PS by representatives of 13 colonies against owners of the two godowns. The FIR was clubbed with the one filed by ACAUT. The colonies demanded immediate arrest of accused persons–Tinku and Nirmal Jain for indulging in illegal activities, misleading the F&CS department and public, for filing false information against ACAUT members and creating communal disharmony.
\nFurther, Dimapur Police clarified that it was legally bound to act upon any complaints received and due procedure of law was applicable equally to one and all.
\nPRO said both the complaints and the investigations were being carried out on equal merits. However, police reminded the public and various civil societies that \u201cirrespective of the causes undertaken, one cannot take law in ones hand and function as a parallel authority\u201d.
\nWhile acknowledging the role of civil society organisations, PRO said \u201cactions must be confined within the ambit of law and cannot be based on pre-assumptive assertions\u201d. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"