No.226/2020-2021  

Dated Aizawl, the  16th   Sept., 2020: There were social media and local news items alleging that 550 bags of illegally smuggled Areca Nuts transferred from Archhuang village, already seized by Mizoram Police were further seized forcibly by the Assam Rifles at Siachangkawn, Lawngtlai District on 11.9.2020. Immediate preliminary enquiry has been done and the facts are as follows:-

The areca nuts were illegally smuggled from Myanmar and were kept at Archhuang Govt. Primary School and Anganwadi Centre for over two months, waiting for opportunity to be taken out. OC Sangau PS was approached by the owners and requested that these areca nuts needed to be shifted out since Schools would be re-opened soon. OC Sangau PS contacted SDPO Lawngtlai over phone and verbally received instructions that he should provide assistance, then prepared a “To whom it may concern” letter in case they were stopped on the way. The areca nuts were then transported out by the owners using 20 hired vehicles. However, all the vehicles carrying areca nuts were stopped and seized at Siachangkawn by Assam Rifles. It is found that the approach made by the owners of the goods and subsequent actions of Mizoram Police were not mentioned in General Diary of the Police Station and seizure memo was also not prepared. Provision of police assistance for transport of illegal goods amounts to serious misconduct and as such OC Sangau PS has been placed under suspension w.e.f. 15.9.2020 for his misconduct pending disciplinary proceedings against him. Further, advisory memo was issued to SDPO Lawngtlai for his lack of supervision and professionalism unbecoming of a responsible police officer and his actual involvement in the matter is being enquired.