Drug haul case of 2018 3.5 Collective urges CM to go to higher Court

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 22 : The 3.5 Collective, a civil society coalition in Manipur striving to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drugs and harmful use of alcohol, has urged the Chief Minister to appeal against the judgement order of the Special Court (ND&PS) Manipur in connection with the Special Trial Case no 100 of 2018 and to pray for re-investigation and re-trial of the case in the High Court.
The 3.5 Collective, in a letter addressed to the Chief Minister said that the body was deeply concerned with the acquittal of  main accused Lhukhosei Zou, former Chairman of ADC Chandel.
Zou was arrested in the intervening night of June 19 and 20, 2018 from his official quarter at Lamphel, by the Special Court of Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS).  
The body said it is concerned with the turn of events unfolding in Manipur following the judgement starting with the return of gallantry award by the supervising officer who conducted the operation, ongoing widespread protest by the public on one hand and chest thumping supporters of Zou on the other.
“In line with the announcement made by the Chief Minister in a public meeting held on December 18, 2020 at Awang Potsangbam, the 3.5 Collective would like to request your good office to appeal against the  judgement/order of the Special Court (ND&PS), Manipur, Special Trial Case no 100 of 2018, dated December 17, 2020 and to pray for the re-investigation and re-trial of the case in the High Court within the next two weeks before the limitation period runs out,” it said.
The 3.5 Collective also expressed hope that its request will be taken with all seriousness as the issue of drugs involves not only the health and wellbeing but the very survival of the people of Manipur.