Arunachal govt to tackle fake currency flood

Itanagar, July 10 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Government today sounded an alarm following reports of fake currency notes amounting to Rs four crore flooding the state.

Counterfeit notes in of he denominations of Rs 1000, 500 and 100 have been reported to be found all over the state, Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today said at a press conference today.

''Foreign forces, particularly the ISI, have been pumping in such duplicate notes from Bangladesh to ruin the economy of the Northeast,'' he charged.

The consignments were being brought into the state from Shillong, Dimapur and Guwahati with the help of an old state resident who reportedly dispatched it to Itanagar in a trunk, Mr Khandu added.

His identity had been established and the police dragnet was active to trap him red-handed with proof, the CM asserted.

Noting that duplicate currencies, in small amounts had been detected at Banderdewa, Itanagar, Seppa and Daporijo, the chief minister pointed out that the government aimed at bringing awareness and are zeroing in on the supply sources, without, however, harassing small traders and innocent people.

However, he advised the traders to record the name of buyers and numbers of large denomination notes in the cash memos as well as identify the person in case of detection of fake notes. ''The large shops should procure ultra-violet lamps to detect fake notes, he urged.

Hinting at the involvement of the local traders, he exhorted the representatives of Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI), market welfare committees and panchayat bodies to remain vigilant to such anti-national activities.

''Any one identifying or informing about the fake note suppliers would be rewarded by the government and his identity be kept secret,'' he announced.

Referring to his meeting with various bank managers yesterday, the chief minister said that the SBI has consented to providing training and assist in organising campaigns to bring mass awareness throughout the state about the fake notes.

''Responding to allegations involving some 'black sheep' in the police force can not be ruled out in the scam as well as in stolen vehicle racket and plea for checking all vehicles fitted with red lights,'' Mr Khandu said, assuring action he directed that all vehicles should be checked.

Chief Secretary Tabom Bam urged the public to be careful. He said the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police were issued directive in this regard yesterday.

''While PWD and UD Minister Nabam Tuki suggested installation of ultra-violet lamps in government and private establishments dealing with cash, finance commissioner Otem Dai explained about RBI guidelines for detection and IPR and P director Supriyo Deb suggested use of RBI CD on fake currency detection through video parlours and cable networks for mass awareness in the state.

Meanwhile, in a similar incident in West Bengal, five people had been arrested in Nadia district for possessing fake currency, which the police suspected had been brought in by ISI operatives from Bangladesh.

UNI