Imphal, August 11: In a major development in Manipur’s ongoing crackdown on police misconduct, four more personnel have been suspended for their alleged involvement in a drug-related case, officials confirmed on Monday.
The action follows the earlier suspension of Ningthoujam Devdas, officer-in-charge of the Imphal East commando unit, bringing the total number of suspended officers in the case to five.
The suspended personnel include Sub-Inspector B. Debson Singh and Constable Tarique Aziz of the Imphal East commando, Head Constable Md. Rakib of Thoubal commando, and Jemadar Md. Amin Shah of the 7th Battalion, Khabeisoi. They are accused of releasing drug peddlers caught along the NH-102 (Indo-Myanmar road) with illegal narcotics after allegedly accepting a ₹6 lakh bribe, while retaining the seized contraband.
Police records show Sub-Inspector Debson was previously arrested in 2013 for transporting pseudoephedrine tablets worth over ₹3 crore to Moreh in Tengnoupal district, leading to the withdrawal of his Chief Minister’s Gallantry Award.
Suspension orders were issued over the weekend by senior officers, including Imphal East SP Rakesh Balwal and Thoubal district’s Additional SP N. Suraj Singh, citing grave misconduct and dereliction of duty. Authorities have not ruled out further action as investigations continue.
