KSU prods municipality on shelter home drug use row

SHILLONG, Jan 3: After a viral video on social media showed habitants of a shelter home consuming narcotics on the premises of the asylum, in the city, the KSU has written to the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), requesting them to take necessary steps.
The union on Wednesday, in the letter suggested the appointment of a caretaker and security guard at the shelter home in Kench’s Trace.
The Union has written to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMB consequent to the viral video, informed Reuben Najiar, President, KSU, Laban Circle.
In the letter, the Union has requested for proper guidelines to be set for shelter homes, adding that people cannot be allowed to drink alcohol or consume other substances while emphasising regular and timely inspection from authorities.
Holding the SMB responsible for allowing a shelter home to run without proper inspection and guidelines, the Union president said that they also discovered that the shelter home was a breeding ground, not only for drug peddlers but also for prostitution.
Meanwhile, he said that during the inspection many used and unused syringes were found from the bed of the drug peddlers, along with large numbers of empty containers suspected to contain some narcotic substances but the drug peddlers had already absconded before our arrival.
Najiar also alleged that several habitants of the shelter home are not homeless and destitute and own houses and vehicle(s) and are taking undue advantage of the free lodging and food provided by authorities, and the actual persons in need suffering.
“We would like to suggest that proper verification of the person(s)/ family must be done before providing shelter and a specific time frame must also be set to allow them to be financially capable of taking care of themselves. They should not be allowed to be living in the shelter home indefinitely and over a prolonged period blocking other person(s) spot in need for shelter,” the letter said.
Additionally, the KSU president revealed that the shelter home was constructed without prior consent from the Dorbar Shnong of Kench’s Trace, Oxford Hills, and Rilbong (K.O.R) and that concerns about drug-related incidents, robbery, prostitution, and assaults have raised serious threats to the locality.
Najiar endorsed the Dorbar Shnong’s decision regarding the shelter home’s existence, considering the recurring incidents that discredit the community.
He urged the SMB to take prompt measures in response to the union’s suggestions, prioritizing the welfare of the locality and those seeking refuge in the shelter home.