By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 24: The police face challenges in securing independent witnesses to testify in court during the seizure of drugs, psychotropic, and narcotic substances, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jeffry Suting.
He highlighted this issue during an awareness programme organised by the Seng Treilang Ki Kynthei Madan and Riat Laban, in collaboration with the Social Welfare department, at the Hajom Nissor Sing Hall in Madan Laban on Wednesday.
“The seizures and evidence we gather during our investigations will not hold up in court unless we have an independent witness. We need witnesses to confirm that the seizure was made from the accused,” Suting stated.
He explained that prosecution cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) often fail in court due to the absence of independent witnesses at the time of seizure.
Suting emphasised that the issue cannot be resolved by the police alone and that independent witnesses are crucial for securing convictions. “What happens is that everyone shies away from responsibility whenever they see policemen conducting investigations and preparing seizure lists. Society needs to support the police in the fight against drugs,” he said.
He also mentioned the difficulties faced by police officers in answering to the court and defense counsel without independent witnesses.
To address the issue of tobacco sales near educational institutions, Suting warned that repeated violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) would lead to legal action. He stressed that COTPA clearly prohibits the sale of tobacco within 100 meters of school premises and that eliminating tobacco sales near schools is vital for protecting the learning environment.