Cigarettes Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA) flying squad team carried out raid on sale of tobacco products near the educational institutions in Wokha on May 27. According to DIPR, during the raid, the team penalised 13 defaulters (Under COTPA Section 6A and 6B) for selling tobacco products and seized the tobacco products from the shops falling within the restricted areas. The defaulters were penalised (Violators under COTPA Sec 6B) with a fine of Rs. 200/- (two hundred).
The seized tobacco products were destroyed at the Police Station, Wokha premises in the presence of all the squad members. The team was led by O/C, Wokha Police Station, along with the staff of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), representatives from District Administration (DBs), Lotha Student’s Union and Women Police personnel Wokha.
Meanwhile, the team informed that it will frequently conduct such kind of raid in coming days and directed shopkeepers to abide by the Cigarettes Other Tobacco Product Act Act. It further warned that necessary legal action will be initiated as per the provision of the law.