Guwahati, Nov 21 (IANS) In two separate incidents, Assam Police have seized narcotic substances worth several crores from Cachar and Karbi Anglong districts, officials said on Monday. Five persons, who were allegedly involved in drug peddling, were apprehended by the police.
In Cachar, three people were arrested with 1.80 lakh tablets used for intoxication on Sunday in the Lakhipur area in the district. Police informed that the international market value of seized tablets is around Rs 50 crore.
The accused were identified as Abdul Saeed, Ibazur Rahman and Sameer Alam, all residents of the Cachar district.
Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahato said, "These three were smuggling tablets in a lorry. The drugs were being smuggled in a secret chamber built in the vehicle's carrier. Based on a specific information, three people were arrested after searching the vehicle and tablets were seized."
The police officer further informed that as per the initial investigation, Abdul Saeed had brought the tablets from the Churachandpur district of neighbouring Manipur state. The purpose was to smuggle them to foreign countries.
Further investigation is underway in the case.
In another incident, police and CRPF in a joint operation intercepted a truck and seized four quintals of Ganja hidden in a modified secret chamber in Karbi Anglong district on Sunday. Two accused were also apprehended.
The Indian Space Research Organisation has begun the process of short-listing probable candidates for its first manned mission and it should be completed by next month, a senior official said.
On I-Day eve, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking exclusively to IANS just days after his government's decision on Article 370 noted how he was troubled and saddened by the fact that the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution pertaining to Panchayati Raj institutions did not apply to Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik justified restrictions imposed in the Valley saying on Wednesday that they were "necessary" to prevent civilian casualties.
