Arunachal Police Probe Chemical Banana Ripening Claims

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh police launched an investigation into the illegal chemical ripening of bananas in the Naharlagun area. The probe started after officers spotted a viral video on social media showing a suspect applying an unidentified substance to the fruit. That footage hit Facebook courtesy of Ngurang Takar Dopum.

Naharlagun-Itanagar Capital Region Superintendent of Police Nyelam Nega ordered the investigation immediately. Naharlagun station officer-in-charge K Dev filed an FIR on Wednesday. He cited the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The chemical remains a mystery. Experts will now conduct a scientific examination to identify the substance and its specific composition.

Investigators want to know if this practice violates health standards. They also aim to track down the individual responsible for the act. Nega promised a strict legal response to any health regulation breach. The department will act fast. "The police would deal firmly with any violation of food safety norms in accordance with the law," Nega said. Authorities continue to monitor the situation while they await lab results.