Darjeeling drug peddlers arrested

Akhilesh Chaturvedi

Vivek Chhetri, TT,  Apr 05, 2018, Darjeeling: Darjeeling police have made a major breakthrough in busting drug peddler ring in town and arrested seven persons and recovered heroin from their possession.

A police officer said three persons, Shivam Thapa, Sovit Rai and Mohit Thapa, had been arrested from near the Lloyd Botanic Garden area on Wednesday. "Twenty-five grams of heroin and a large number of chemical substances were recovered from them," said the officer.

"Another accused Vicky Roma of Kakjhora was also apprehended later in the day," he added.

A raid was also conducted at Chowk Bazar and Gaddikhana and 15 people involved in illegal gambling were arrested on Wednesday. "Gambling equipment, including computers, were seized during the raid," said the officer.

Two days back, the police had also arrested three persons involved in the drug peddling in town.

A senior police officer said: "This is a sign that policing has started with normality returning to the hills."

The Darjeeling police who are organising Rising Star, the highest prize dance and signing competition in the history of the region with total prize money of Rs 26.44 lakh, also announced that list of selected candidates on Wednesday.

"Of the 4389 participants who had registered in the competition, 731 have been selected for the next round, which will take place from April 7," said Akhilesh Chaturvedi, the superintendent of police, Darjeeling.

The next round of audition for dance competition will take place at Darjeeling Gymkhana Club while the audition for the singing contest will take at Capitol Hall in Darjeeling. On Wednesday, the police also held an on-spot audition for 150 participants who had been left out earlier.

"The event is part of our community policing initiative," said Chaturvedi.

The finals will be held at Chowrasta on April 28, with the top 10 finalist in four categories, which includes senior and junior category for both singing and dance competition.