Manipur: Seized pan masala and chewing tobacco worth Rs 12.7 lakh disposed in Imphal

A combined team from the Food Safety Administration, Imphal West, and Sekmai Police Station disposed of a large quantity of banned tobacco products, including 180 bags of Talab Pan Masala and 70 bags of T5 chewing tobacco, with an estimated market value of Rs 12,72,800. 

The seized items, confiscated in violation of Manipur’s ban on such products, were officially destroyed on November 7.

The banned goods were recovered from Ningthoujam Chitrasen Singh, 41, of Langthabal Kunja Awang Leikai, Imphal West District, who had claimed ownership of the items. 

The confiscation and subsequent disposal align with Government Notification No. MED-1401/12/2021-HS-HEALTH, issued on October 18, 2024, by the Chief Secretary of Health and Commissioner of Food Safety, Government of Manipur.

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Following the seizure, the case (FS Case No.1/2024/AO(Food Safety)/ADM-IW) was processed, resulting in a penalty of Rs 80,000 imposed on the accused under Section 58 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 

The Food Safety Administration confirmed that the disposal procedures were conducted in the presence of Food Safety Officers L. Arunkumar Singh, H. Premkumar Singh, and L. Saratchandra Singh, along with the Officer-in-Charge of Sekmai Police Station.

The operation highlights Manipur’s stringent enforcement of its tobacco and pan masala ban to protect public health, underscoring the active involvement of both the Food Safety Department and local law enforcement in curbing illegal tobacco trade.