SHILLONG: The rising trend of drug abuse in Meghalaya has become a cause for concern for the State government.
Replying to a special motion moved by HSPDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit on drug trafficking in the State, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh on Monday said in the last three years, the largest quantity of narcotics have been seized in East Khasi Hills followed by Ri Bhoi.
Lyngdoh pointed out that 32 cases under the NDPS Act were reported in 2013 that dropped to 27 the next year. However, in 2015, the number of cases again rose to 31 and this year, 22 cases have been registered till July.
The minister said of the 112 cases registered by police in the past four years under the NDPS Act 1985, 25 were charge sheeted in 2013, 22 in 2014 and 25 in 2015.
He further pointed out that till July 31 this year, charge sheets have been submitted against the accused in 80 cases and in respect of 13 cases, the investigation could not substantiate the charges against the accused, adding that 209 persons were arrested and forwarded to court during the same period.
So far, there have been 13 cases of conviction and 19 are pending trial.
The minister stressed on the need for a survey to gauge the extent of narcotics menace, the population of drug users and to identify methods to deal with the issue.
Stating that drug trafficking in the region is due to proximity of the region to the ‘Golden Triangle’, Lyngdoh asserted that Shillong is usually used as a transit route to other states in so far as the assessment of its illegal transportation is concerned. “Despite adequate vigilance, heroin still finds its way across the border making it accessible to the youth in the state through traffickers,” he said.
Anti-narcotics task force has been set up in all districts and the dog squad of the CID is being used to detect drugs and cannabis, said Lyngdoh.
On the action plan of supply reduction, the Home Minister said drug suppliers are being identified through drug users and local residents, besides inputs are being collected on the hierarchy of suppliers. He further said the State government is assisting several non-profit organisations who are operating integration and de-addiction centres.
Earlier, while moving the special motion, Basaiawmoit said the situation is alarming in the capital city as many high school students have also started drug abuse. “Drug users mostly start addiction with ganja that is easily available in pan shops in the city,” he said as he wondered whether there was a nexus between police and drug peddlers. “I feel it is an attack and silent invasion on my community,” he added.
On the other hand, West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh lamented that the NDPS Act has acted more as a deterrent to the police in arresting peddlers even as he demanded that the Narcotics Control Bureau in Kolkata should also have a unit in Shillong.
NPP MLA James Sangma blamed the government for inaction.
Drug abuse among cops
John Leslee K Sangma (Independent) said the problem has infiltrated the police organization. Sangma said, “Indulgence in drug abuse is not limited to youth, but it has also infiltrated into the police agency which is supposed to guard us.”
According to him, since many police officers are addicted to substance abuse, there is a need to address the concerns. Citing that his personal security guard was a drug user, Sangma said that one of his gunmen from Meghalaya police with automatic weapon even assaulted his driver.
UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh said the situation has reached such a level in Shillong that de-addiction centres are overcrowded and people find it tough to get accommodation. Medication for de-addiction is also expensive, he added.
