Four on-duty police officers in Assam ‘s Hailakandi district were arrested on Friday for their suspected involvement in the smuggling of Burmese areca nuts from Mizoram. They take bribe for giving the pass of Burmese Supari truck from the checking post. Police recovered Rs. 42,500 from the possession of the arrested cops.
Four Assam Police Arrested Red-Handed Operation
Hailakandi’s Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Samir Baruah, revealed that the four police personnel caught in the act, allegedly assisting smugglers in the illegal trade of Burmese areca nuts on Thursday night at around 3.00 am. Acting on specific information, a special team conducted a covert operation in the Bilaipur area, catching the officers red-handed.
The arrested give the pass of the truck illegillay from the naka checking point of Bilaipur, Hailakandi.
Addressing the media, Hailakandi’s Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Samir Dapat Baruah, stated, “Between 10 p.m. and the early morning hours, three police officers were deployed at the checkpoint—Armed Branch Sub-Inspector (ABSI) Munsi Murmu and Armed Branch Lance Naik Ranjeet Gowala. The Bilaipur police station’s officer in charge received information that these three officials were allegedly intimidating truck drivers and demanding money for allowing them to enter Assam. As the checkpoint was at a border crossing, the officer in charge promptly informed the Lala police station. Both stations arrived at the checkpoint to assess the situation.”
Detention and Arrest: Immediate Action Follows Investigation
The arrested four Four Assam Police officers, namely Sanjay Roy, Ashim Singha, Munsi Marma, and Ranjit Goala, initially taken into custody. Following an investigation, the Bilaipur Police registered a case and formally arrested them on Friday. Marma and Goala serve as constables in the Hailakandi Commando Battalion, while Roy and Singha are constables at Hailakandi Police.
Charges Filed: Legal Actions Against the Accused Officers
The arrested officers are facing charges under various sections, including 168 (public servant unlawfully engaging in illegal trade), 384 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Additionally, they charged under section 98A of the Assam Police Act for willfully breaching laws.
They also prodeced to court on Friday. Now they are in the remand of Hailakandi Police
Immediate Response to Smuggling Allegations
The arrests come as a result of a prompt and specific operation launched based on information about the illegal trade of Burmese areca nuts. The involvement of on-duty police officers in such activities has raised concerns. And the authorities are taking decisive action to address the alleged misconduct. The case is likely to undergo further investigation as legal proceedings unfold.
