By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 21: Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang on Tuesday said a study, commissioned by Meghalaya Police and conducted by an independent organisation, found that multiple factors are responsible for Meghalaya’s transformation from a drug transit state to a drug user state.
She said the findings of the organisation are now under discussion. The organisation made several suggestions in its report which is now with Meghalaya Police.
“There are multiple factors at play, and we must work collectively to address them,” the DGP said, emphasising that a phased approach will be required to tackle the issues.
“We have to deal with these issues one at a time, as it is not possible to tackle all of them simultaneously. Therefore, we have to prioritise which factors require immediate attention,” Nongrang said.
She said many petty crimes and thefts are closely linked to rising drug use, calling for smarter policing strategies.
“How do we then counter this? Should we return to the old system of regular patrols and beat duties, or we should leverage technology? In fact, several cases have been solved with the help of CCTV and other technological tools,” she said, adding that a blend of traditional policing and modern technology could effectively address the problem.
Asked about community involvement, Nongrang highlighted the active role of Village Defence Parties (VDPs) in combating the drug menace.
“We already have quite a few VDPs in place. I must commend the VDPs of Mawlynrei, Laitkor and Nongstoin, which have been particularly active. A conglomerate of VDPs in Nongstoin has played a major role in curbing the spread of drugs,” she said.
She stressed that local cooperation is key, as community members often have firsthand knowledge of those involved in illicit activities.
“If we can get that level of cooperation across other areas as well, it will make our task much easier,” she added.
The DGP’s remarks underscore the state police’s efforts to blend policy, technology and community partnership in tackling Meghalaya’s growing drug challenge.
