Manipur cop Thounaojam Brinda returns medal given for fight against drugs

Thounaojam Brinda, former additional superintendent of police, Narcotics and Border Affairs (NAB) in Manipur, on December 18 returned Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Gallantry which was given to her on the occasion of Patriots’ Day on August 13, 2018 for her fight against drug menace in the state.

In her letter addressed to chief minister N Biren Singh, Brinda said that the ND&PS Court, Lamphel had acquitted Bharatiya Janata Party ADC chairman, Chandel, Lhukhosei Zou and six other individuals who were implicated in a case where a huge amount of drugs were seized.

In recognition for the case as part of Manipur chief minister’s ‘war against drugs’, Brinda was conferred the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Gallantry, Thounaojam Brinda said.

She said the investigation and prosecution were deemed unsatisfactory by the ND&PS court. She said she felt morally inclined that she had not conducted her duty “as per the wishes” of the criminal justice delivery system of the land.

Can’t consider myself deserving: Thounaojam Brinda

Thounaojam Brinda said she does not consider herself deserving of the honour bestowed upon her by the CM so she was returning the medal to the state home department so that it may be given to a more deserving and loyal police officer.

The special court ND&PS judge W Tonen Meitei had Thangminlun Zou and Tung Khan Mung Zou while seven others including Lhukhosei Zou were acquitted as the prosecution totally failed to prove the charges levelled against them.

A team led by Brinda and personnel of Narcotic and Affairs of Border (NAB) and Imphal West district police had arrested Lhukhosei Zou and seven others allegedly with WY tablets worth Rs 27 crore and Rs 57,18,000 in cash on June 19, 2018.

One 0.32 prohibited bore (NPB) pistol along with 21 live rounds, a single barrel rifle with two gun licenses, Rs 95,000 in demonetized currency and Rs 13,13,00 in cash were also seized.

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