PLA set free surrendered tobacco smuggler

Imphal, Mar 15 (UNI) A businessman, who has been smuggling banned tobacco stuff in Imphal and had surrendered before the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a banned outfit, was restored to his family yesterday.

The PLA had issued a "decree" prohibiting selling of liquor, zarda, drugs, betel leaves and other intoxicants in Manipur.

The businessman, identified as Panna Lal Saha, was produced before some invited mediaperson by the PLA cadres before setting him free with a warning of capital punishment if caught seceond time with banned substances.

Panna Lal had surrendered to the outfit with large quantity of tobacco products recently. Lal was asked by the outfit to close down his shop in Imphal for five months for allegedly selling banned items.

UNI NS PC RD 1234 I