The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) flying squad team leader led by O/C Wokha Police Station including representatives from National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), DBs, Personnel from P/S Wokha and Women Police Station conducted a raid in and around schools premises to check the sale of tobacco products on 8th July 2022.

As per COTPA Act, the selling of any kind of tobacco products within 100 meters radius within the school area is restricted under the Act. The team after conducting the raid penalized 5 (five) defaulters for non-compliance with the Act and the tobacco products were also seized. The seized tobacco products were destroyed the same day in presence of all the team members at the Wokha Police Station premises.

Further, it was informed that such kinds of raids will be conducted frequently and warned all shop keepers selling tobacco products within the restricted area to abide by the laid down Act, and warned that should they fail to abide by the COTPA Act, necessary legal action shall be initiated as per the provision of Law.

(Zubenthung, IA Wokha)