Intervention sought for NCB office in Shillong, extension of detention time
Shillong, July 7: To further strengthen the anti-drug mechanism, the state government has sought creation of a sub-zonal office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Shillong and extension of the period of preventive detention under PITNDPS Act up to three years.
“The government has already proposed for a sub-zonal office of the NCB and we sought the intervention of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in order to push the agenda forward,” social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on Monday.
The NHRC’s intervention was sought into the matter during a meeting chaired by deputy chief minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong in presence of NHRC special monitor Rakesh Anthana during the latter’s visit to Meghalaya to examine drug trafficking scene in the state.
Lyngdoh said the government also brought to the notice of the visiting NHRC official a pending proposal of procurement of scanner vehicles funded by Government of India.
According to the minister, there has been undue delay in sanctioning of these vehicles by the union ministry.
“Initially we sought two such vehicles and we have been assured that the special monitor of NHRC will intervene on behalf of the state government,” the minister said.
The meeting also discussed provisions of Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, especially the provision of preventive detention.
“We sought that the period of preventive detention be further extended up to three years,” Lyngdoh said.
Currently, four persons are in detention under PITNDPS Act and there are 12 other cases in the stage of active consideration, he said.
Meanwhile, to curb drug trafficking, the government has identified at least two entry points in Ri-Bhoi district.
Giving further details of the meeting, the minister said the NHRC official remarked that Meghalaya is one of the few states with a project like DREAM that involves communities, educational institutions and faith-based organisations.
The meeting admitted that the drug supply chain in Meghalaya is from outside the state and not within like the state of Punjab, Lyngdoh said.
