By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 15: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit, within three weeks, disclosing the steps that have been taken pursuant to the court order dated May 26, 2022, and the present status with regard to the steps taken for de-addiction and setting up of rehabilitation centres.
The directives came from the Meghalaya High Court after a fresh PIL was filed by the petitioner (Mewaker Lyngdoh) raising issues that were considered in an earlier PIL dating back to 2018. The court had appointed SP Mahanta, senior advocate, as Amicus Curiae in the earlier proceeding and on the basis of the report submitted by him, the writ petition was disposed of.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh noted that the fresh writ application has been filed seeking self-same reliefs in view of the change in circumstances.
Mahanta, who is now representing the petitioner, submitted that although steps were taken earlier in terms of the order dated 26.05.2022, the situations have altered and no concrete steps have been taken by the administration for eradicating the drug menace.
He also submitted that a recent inspection by the petitioner revealed that there are an insufficient number of drug addiction centres and the situation that prevailed prior to May 26, 2022, had again resurfaced.
The state was represented by Additional Advocate General Khalid Khan who submitted that the government has taken various measures to prevent the menace of drug abuse and drug addiction and all steps taken in this regard shall be disclosed in the affidavit, if necessary. The division bench directed the state to file a detailed affidavit disclosing the steps they have been taken for de-addiction and setting up of rehabilitation centres with a period of three weeks.
The court also directed the Government of India to file a detailed affidavit with regard to the steps taken by them to prevent entry of narcotic drugs in Meghalaya through the international borders.
The case will be heard again on November 18.
