Seized betel leaves disposed

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 24 : Betel leaves seized from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport recently have been disposed of at  the solid waste management plant at Lamdeng today.
Imphal West Superintendent of Police, Singjamei Police Station OC, SDPO, Food Safety Department and Manipur Pollution Control Board officials were present at the plant.
It may be noted that the betel leaves worth around Rs 1 crore were seized from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on April 4 amidst the lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak, sparking furore.
Police had registered FIR and Judicial Magistrate Imphal West had been hearing Zima applications filed to release the betel leaves.
The police have so far not been able to trace the owner of the betel leaves. With the Food Safety authority declaring the betel leaves harmful for human consumption, Judicial Magistrate Imphal West on April 20 had ordered disposal of the consignment following strict procedures to avoid any harm to environment and human/animals.
Manipur Pollution Control Board had also issued a no objection certificate on April 22 effecting the order to dispose the betel leaves.
The betel leaves were buried in a deep pit with bleaching powder at the solid waste management plant at Lamdeng.