From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Oct 30: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Tuesday organised an anti-drug campaign at Iewmawlong, Ri-Bhoi, which attended by its leaders, stakeholders and women participants.
During the event, Editor-in-Chief of Shillong Mail, Kyrmenlang Uriah, underscored the urgent need for a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office in Meghalaya to address the escalating drug crisis in the state.
He expressed his concerns about the drug menace and urged people to petition the Centre for the establishment of the NCB office, rather than relying solely on the state government.
Uriah highlighted the situation in Tripura, where police officers respect the NCB’s authority and often adjust their strategies to avoid scrutiny.
He said in Tripura, the presence of a fully functional NCB office has prompted the police to work diligently.
“Just a few days ago, the police there managed to seize drugs worth several crores,” Uriah noted.
He criticised the state government for its indifference towards drug-related issues, alleging that it exploits the crisis for revenue.
“Even the vehicles seized by the police, often worth lakhs, belong to powerful individuals involved in drug trafficking. These people are not only destroying the youth of our state but also using Meghalaya as a transit route to other states,” Uriah lamented.
Uriah shared his experiences as a reporter dealing with drug-related issues, expressing dismay at the boldness of some drug peddlers who conceal drugs even in the presence of children.
He also condemned the Meghalaya government for failing to implement the Nasha-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), a central government initiative launched on September 15, 2020, aimed at combating substance abuse.
“The prime minister recognised the dangers posed by drugs and introduced the NMBA to eradicate this threat. However, it’s unfortunate that there has been no indication of Meghalaya cooperating with the central government to implement this program,” Uriah remarked.
“It’s unfortunate that we must remind those in power to consider the future of our youth. Their time in office is limited to five years. If drugs infiltrate their homes tomorrow, they too will find themselves attending such gatherings, regretting their inaction. There is still time for the government to act and safeguard the future of our youth and society as a whole,” Uriah concluded.