By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 9: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh told the Assembly that the fight against drugs in Meghalaya is not just a government effort but a collective battle that requires society’s full support.
Replying to the special motion moved by VPP legislator Ardent M. Basaiawmoit, Lyngdoh said that the state government is relentlessly pursuing the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, describing it as a menace that “threatens to make us victims, but the choice is ours.”
“I am sure we all share the grave concern over the emerging situation. At the same time, I would also like to recall the glimmer of hope expressed by the Leader of Opposition when he referred to the famous song ‘We Shall Overcome’, which once galvanised an entire society to fight against apartheid,” he said. “This is not us versus them. This is the state of Meghalaya, the people of Meghalaya fighting in unison. Rather than succumbing to defeat, let us be victors and never victims,” he stressed.
He said that drug abuse is not just a regional or national crisis but a global menace, and Meghalaya’s proximity to the Golden Triangle has made the state especially vulnerable.
Responding to a clarification sought by Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma on the total inventory of seized drug consignments, Lyngdoh said that all such consignments have already been destroyed. He explained that, whenever due permission is obtained from the High Court of Meghalaya, the government organises incineration programmes at designated sites to ensure proper disposal of the seized drugs.
To Sangma’s suggestion that civil society representatives be present during such exercises to instil confidence and avoid any doubts, Lyngdoh clarified that the incineration of seized drugs carried out on January 23 was done in the presence of the village head, the district SP, and a representative of the high court. The process was also documented and shared in the media for transparency.
He said that Meghalaya has, for the first time, invoked provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988.
“Today, there are five repeat offenders serving detention in jails under PIT-NDPS in Meghalaya,” the Minister said, adding that the Act empowers law enforcement agencies to detain traffickers for not less than a year, and also to attach properties and freeze bank accounts of accused persons and their families.
Lyngdoh further said the government has adopted a “mission mode” approach by integrating departments, including Health, Police, Education, Social Welfare, and Law, under the leadership of the Chief Minister.
As part of this initiative, the state has sanctioned the post of an SP for the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), set up a dedicated ANTF police station, and created 12 district-level units.
“During the last five years, police have registered 603 NDPS cases, arrested 1,069 accused persons, and seized large quantities of contraband items,” he said.
Highlighting recent successes, Lyngdoh revealed that in just 10 days, contraband worth ₹5 crore was seized from East Jaintia Hills and Shillong.
The Minister also underlined the state’s focus on rehabilitation and awareness. Meghalaya has 12 rehab centres, including seven supported by the government, while new de-addiction facilities are coming up in districts without coverage. The state is also collaborating with 62 NGOs and running awareness drives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, reaching over 30,000 men and 12,000 women.