The Jampui Hill community has expressed their worry about the increase in smuggling activities in their area and has demanded the intervention of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha.
The aggrieved villagers united under the Jampui Hill Joint NGO, have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the BDO of Jampui Hill block. The villagers have also raised concerns about the involvement of the local police in the matter and have requested the Chief Minister to take strict actions against the smugglers and the local police.
On April 3, community youth volunteers intercepted and detained smugglers with 58 foreign cattle coming from Myanmar through Mizoram into Tripura. The smuggler’s agent, Jabir Hussain, who rushed to the spot after getting information on the detention of smugglers with cattle, from Damchhera, confessed that the smuggling activities have been taking place for months with the “full knowledge of and under the patronage of Officer-in-Charge of Vanghmun PS, Suleman Reang.” Jabir Hussain further alleged that the OC has been receiving bribes from the smugglers.
The community youths also alleged that the smugglers and the OC attempted to bribe them with an offer of Rs. 700 per cattle to allow them to go ahead with the smuggling, which they refused.
In another incident, community youths detained areca nut smugglers coming from Mizoram at Vanghmun. The community youths alleged OC Reang along with the Second Officer was present at the site in plain clothes and a private car.
In the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, president of Mizo Convention L Sailo, and General Secretary of Mizo Convention, Dr. Z Pachuau, authenticated all these allegations, stating that the organization has photos, videos, and voice records to prove the involvement of the local police in the smuggling activities.
The people of Jampui Hill have demanded that the current Officer-in-Charge of Vanghmun PS and his men involved be held accountable and punished according to the law to ensure public safety.