IMPHAL — Manipur
police apprehended two individuals - one male and a female - on charges of
using harmful chemicals to ripen green bananas in Khwairamband Keithel market
located in Imphal.
However, the duo was later released “after necessary
process.”
The incident came to light after a video went viral on
social media platform (Facebook) in which one man and a woman were seen dipping
green bananas in a liquid/watery solution (suspected to be harmful chemical)
and the bananas were sold in the market on January 15.
Immediately, officer in charge of City Police Station formed
a team to investigate the matter on the same day and the lady seen in video was
detained, according to a police statement here on Friday.
The lady was later identified as Merai Ibecha Begum (66), a
resident of Sora village in Kakching district and presently saying at Yairipok
Tulihal in Imphal East district. Ibecha Begum identified the other person as Md
Maniruddin, a labourer.
“On January 16, Md Maniruddin (40) of Yairipok Kaina Poirou
Khongjil in Imphal East district was also detained by City police station,” the
statement read.
“As per their version, one unknown lady had come on January
14 at around 7am to supply the bananas and she gave Ibecha some chemicals for
ripening the bananas. Ibecha hired the labourer Maniruddin to wash the bananas
in the solution.”
Further the two detained individuals - Merai Ibecha Begum
and Md Maniruddin - were produced before the SDM Imphal West district along
with a prayer to book them under appropriate sections of law.
“The Magistrate bound them under section 128 BNSS and they
were released by the Magistrate after necessary process,” it stated.
“Efforts are on way to identify the unknown lady (vegetable
wholesale supplier) who has given the chemical to Merai Ibecha Begum for
ripening the green bananas.”
