IT News
Imphal, Jan 17
Two individuals, Ibecha Begum (66) and Maniruddin (40), both residents of Imphal East, were arrested on Thursday for allegedly using harmful chemicals to ripen bananas at Khwairamband Keithel. The incident came to light after a viral social media video exposed their actions, triggering public outrage.
According to a police statement, the video, posted on Facebook on January 15, 2025, showed a man and a woman dipping green bananas in a suspicious liquid. The bananas were then sold at the Naga Nala area behind Ngari Gali, Thangal Bazar. Following the viral video, the Officer-in-Charge of the City Police Station formed a team to investigate the matter.
Later that day, police detained Ibecha Begum from Naga Nala Pareng, behind Ngari Gali, Thangal Bazar. She identified herself as a resident of Sora Mamang Leikai, Kakching District, and revealed that the other individual in the video was a laborer named Md. Maniruddin. On January 16, 2025, Maniruddin was also detained by the police.
The investigation revealed that Ibecha Begum had been supplied with chemicals for ripening the bananas by an unknown woman on January 14, 2025. She had hired Maniruddin to wash the bananas in the chemical solution.
The two were presented before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Imphal West on January 16, 2025, where they were warned under Section 128 of the BNSS Act and released on bail as first-time offenders.
Authorities have condemned the use of chemicals in food products, which pose significant health risks to consumers. They are continuing efforts to identify the unknown woman who supplied the chemicals and have launched an awareness drive around Khwairamband Keithel to educate the public on the harmful consequences of such practices.
The public has been urged to report any such activities to the police or relevant authorities to prevent further incidents.