Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: Three police personnel posted at Teliamura Police Station in Khowai district have been closed pending inquiry over allegations of manipulating a seizure list prepared after an anti-narcotics operation for alleged personal gain, senior sources in the Tripura Police said.
B Jagadeeswar Reddy has ordered a departmental inquiry against the three officials -Inspector Ajit Debbarma, Sub-Inspector Rajendra Reang and Constable Sukanta Deb.
Pending completion of the probe, all three have been attached to the SP office and relieved of field duties to prevent any possible influence on the investigation.
According to reports, the controversy is linked to a late-night anti-drug operation conducted on May 20, during which police intercepted a vehicle and officially recorded the seizure of 600 bottles of Eskuf cough syrup.
However, allegations later surfaced claiming that the actual quantity recovered was significantly higher and that several bottles from the consignment were deliberately omitted from the official seizure list in exchange for monetary benefits.
Officials said the district police administration initiated immediate action after the allegations came to light.
The incident has raised concerns as codeine-based cough syrups continue to remain under scrutiny in Tripura due to their alleged abuse among youths and their smuggling to neighbouring regions.
Over the past year, Tripura Police and central agencies have carried out several anti-narcotics drives across the state, leading to major seizures of ganja, brown sugar, yaba tablets and codeine-based cough syrups.
Officials said the departmental inquiry will examine allegations related to the handling of seized contraband as well as possible procedural violations during the operation.
