Imphal: Discovery of a parcel containing poppy seeds at the Imphal Head Post Office, which was intended for someone at the Head Quarter Company 19th Assam Rifles in Noney on Monday, raised questions amid the pressing public demand for ending illegal poppy cultivation and removal of Assam Rifles from violent-hit Manipur.
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The detection of poppy seeds was accidental and occurred while Post Office staff were sorting items for delivery. It seems that the poppy seeds fell out of the parcel due to improper packing. The parcel, weighing 10 kilograms and bearing the consignment number CQ32-890-497-6IN, was sent by an individual named Arif Hussain from Bandipora, Jammu & Kashmir. The recipient was identified as one Ritu Kumari residing at Head Quarter Company 19th Assam Rifles in Noney.
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Upon discovering the poppy seeds, the Post Office staff immediately notified Imphal Police Station. Officials from the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) and Imphal Police Station, along with the Post Office Postmaster, assessed the situation. Following an examination by the Imphal West district magistrate, the parcel was opened. Inside the parcel, authorities found a box containing dried fruits like raisins, cashew nuts, walnuts, pistachios and almonds. Among the dry fruits was a packet of Wildroots coastal berry containing approximately 930 grams of poppy seeds.
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It is worth noting that recovery of poppy seeds in this case reportedly doesn’t come under the ambit of the ND&PS Act. Poppy seeds are used in preparing various cuisines. They are used in fruit salad dressings and fragrant yeast breads for their nutty flavour.
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