AGARTALA, November 20 (TIWN): Though most of the shops and business related things were closed due to the 12-hour state bandh called today by the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) to protest against the lathii charge allegedly by police on its supporters at Agartala on November 17, but on the other hand it was reported that by taking the advantage of the bandh the sellers of the contraband items like phensedyl, correx, drugs, and tablets today doubled the price of these items.

On investigation, TIWN team found that the rates of the contraband items were doubled due to the bandh and in some houses of the city also the selling rate of contraband items were gaining momentum. Though police are well aware of the situation and the police often detain vehicles and seize thousands of bottles of Phensedyl consignments that are not used in Tripura. But, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The network is very deep-rooted and widespread. The Phensedyl smuggling would, in future, become a major deterrent to better Indo-Bangla relations. But selling of contraband items in a broad daylight in a open market has raised questions among the police administrative section. It is learnt that police know about the selling of contraband items in a broad daylight. But the police is playing a role of silent spectator regarding the issue.