Youth vows to fight against drug abuse, police skeptical

SHILLONG: A youth from Madanrting has vowed to carry on with his “fight against drug peddling and drug abuse” in the city despite opposition from various quarters.
Desmon John Kharkongor claimed that drug peddlers have threatened and even conspired against him for his fight against such criminals.
Kharkongor claimed that he has been constantly working with the police to contain the drug menace in Madanrting Block-E since 2012.
While stating that Happy Valley was the main source of drugs supply in the city, Kharkongor said that he had apprised the local heads of Madanrting Block-E about the menace on numerous occasions but none paid heed to his claims.
Stating that police have arrested a number of drug dealers from the locality in recent past, he lamented that drug dealers go back to the same profession after securing their release.
While asking people to support his cause in uprooting the various social evils that exists in Madanrting Block-E, he said that there should have been guidelines from the locality to keep a check on such activities.
He also claimed that he is being constantly threatened by drug peddlers and on one occasion, he had to seek help from the police in the middle of the night.
According to Kharkongor, drug users from different localities of the city and even from Jowai frequent Madanrting Block-E to buy the banned substance.
He added that despite the government order to shut down liquor stores in the city violating certain guidelines, alcohol is still freely available in the locality.
The youth claimed that despite filing a couple of FIRs against those who have threatened him   he is still receiving intimidating calls.
On the other hand, East Khasi Hills SP, M. Kharkrang said that Kharkongor was arrested earlier and police have some cases registered against him. Other police officials also informed that 36 people had filed FIR against Kharkongor accusing him of threatening and posing as a police source.  He was also summoned by police in connection with the FIR, but did not appear forcing the cops to request cancellation of his bail.
Reacting to a query, officials said that police are inquiring into the FIR lodged by Kharkongor about being threatened by drug peddlers.