SHILLONG, Nov 5: Concerned over the burgeoning drug menace in Shillong, the state government is examining the idea of converting the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) into a dedicated police force to deal with drugs and drug peddlers.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh revealed this on Tuesday after meeting a HYC delegation.
The pressure group had met Lyngdoh and submitted a series of demands to contain the menace of drugs.
Lyngdoh said a meeting would be held under the DREAM mission on November 14 to discuss the need to strengthen the ANTF with a focus on working out details to make ANTF a dedicated police force which will not be tied down by normal policing activities.
He also said that during the meeting, the government will take up the concerns raised by the groups to tackle the menace.
Informing that retired police officer FG Kharshiing has been appointed as the Mission Director of DREAM, Lyngdoh said a meeting was also held recently with Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong to discuss the drugs problem.
Stating that the government will adopt a fresh strategy to tackle drugs, the minister said there is no provision for allotment of land for construction of rehabs and hence the government wants local communities to donate land for the purpose.
Lyngdoh also said he will hold meetings with central ministers in New Delhi on November 17 and discuss the problem of drugs.
