By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 7: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday issued a 30-day ultimatum to the state government to act on their list of demands to combat the menace of drugs and substance abuse.
Announcing the decision during a public rally at Motphran, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem made it clear that if the state government is unable to work things out and implement the demands within the deadline, they will take out a public march to the Secretariat in protest.
The resolution was taken following a letter from Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh assuring to look into the demands put forward by the HYC.
Synrem said according to the letter, a state-level meeting of DREAM will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on November 14 and decisions will also be taken on converting the ANTF into a dedicated police force to tackle the problem of drugs. The letter also assured establishment of a fast track court as demanded by the HYC.
The HYC had previously demanded the establishment of a state-run treatment and rehabilitation centre in Shillong, along with free detoxification, Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), and day-care centres in high-risk districts.
They also called for the creation of fast-track and special courts for cases related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, improvements in investigation and prosecution processes, and stronger measures to curb the supply of drugs.
Additionally, HYC requested the establishment of a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office in Shillong.
Meanwhile, an uneasy calm was witnessed in GS Road and areas adjacent to Motphran ad shops downed their shutters, anticipating trouble.
There was a strong deployment of security personnel during the public rally.