Shillong, Feb 20: Scanner-installed vehicles and sniffer dogs are going to further fuel Meghalaya’s fight against drugs. Once procured, they will be deployed at entry and exit points of the state.
A proposal in this regard was approved by social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday.
“There was a request to press into service K-9 unit sniffer dogs… I approved the proposal from DREAM (Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission) director yesterday,” social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters after a meeting with all-faith forums on Thursday.
“We will start with about 10 sniffer dogs along with trainers…this should happen very soon,” he said.
While one scanner vehicle is in the process of being deployed soon, he said.
At least two vehicles are required – one each at entry and exit point.
Meanwhile, the minister announced assistance of ₹50 lakh to faith organisations for aiding the state’s fight against the drug menace.
The amount of assistance may increase based on requirement, he said while making it clear that a system will be put in place to ensure that only genuine faith organisations are able to access the funds.
The government is keen on getting valuable insights from faith organisations in tackling drug abuse.
Highlighting the steps taken by the government in its war against drugs, the minister refuted allegations of failure in addressing the issue.
“I believe in the saying that if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem,” he said.
In December last year, the government constituted a dedicated team of the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF).
The minister pointed out that formation of ANTF led to the team of 40 personnel exclusively available for fighting the drug menace.
He also said that Meghalaya had changed the course from implementing NDPS to PITNDPS, which also has provisions for preventive detention of repeated offenders.
“In the past, this has not happened which is why the general complaint is that the same person, who is detained and arrested, you can again seen the same guy a couple of weeks later. Already four persons have gone under preventive detention under PITNDPS Act and the term of custody ranges from one year to three years. We have done it,” Lyngdoh said.
He also urged people not to speculate much about what happens to seized drugs and mentioned about initiatives of incineration of seized drugs.
“The latest instance was attended by the chief minister and the home minister that took place at a cement plant,” he said.
On the government initiatives to revive village defence parties (VDPs), Lyngdoh said, “We have reinitiated the creation of more VDPs… there were just 11 VDPs in Shillong with a population nearing 7 lakh… we have arranged provisions like uniforms, torches… financial incentives raised from ₹800 to ₹3000 per volunteer per month.”
