Demands include more detox centres, fast track courts, NCB office in Shillong
Shillong, Oct 5: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has warned of launching a public agitation in case of inaction on its 7-point charter of demands to tackle drug menace in the state.
The demands include treatment & rehabilitation, free detoxification, OST and day-care centres in all vulnerable districts; fast track courts/special courts for cases under NDPS Act; investigation and prosecution of cases under NDPS Act 1985; strengthening of drug supply reduction strategy; and an office of Narcotics Control Bureau in Shillong.
“We hope and urge upon the State Government to consider the just and reasonable demands of our organisation for the welfare of the citizens of State as a whole. And if no concrete and positive actions is taken by the Government within a considerable period of time to the demands made by us, we would be launching a public movement to ensure that the government pay heed to our demands,” stated HYC president Roykupar Synrem In a letter to the chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
A meeting of various community leaders, headmen, seng longkmie, seng samla and public on September 28 took the decision and resolved to launch a “Drugs Elimination and Enforcement of DREAM (DEED) Mission”.
The HYC pointed out that the governemnt to launched Drug Reduction, Elimination, and Action Mission (DREAM) last year to ensure a “drug free Meghalaya”.
Apprehending that the government’s mission looks good only on paper, the HYC emphasised fulfllment of its seven-point demands.
According to the HYC, there are 10 Rehabilitation Centres funded either by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment or State supported or privately owned.
“Intake capacity of these centres is about 300 patients/clients whereas the number of drug users in the state is about 3 lakh, as per a minister’s statement in the assembly. Now, the question that arises is where will the rest of the users get treatment at?,” the HYC leader said.
“Therefore, it is imperative that a State Sponsored Rehabilitation Centre be established in East Khasi Hills at the earliest with a maximum possible intake capacity,” he said.
In view of the increase of drug users in day by day, the HYC demanded for Detoxification, OST and Day Care Centres availing free services to the addicts in the vulnerable districts.
Referring to the long-pending trials of drug-related cases, the HYC letter said “We urge upon you to kindly take immediate steps to ensure that the Fast Track Courts/Special Courts as envisaged under DREAM Project, for trial of cases under NDPS Act be established as soon as possible, especially for East Khasi Hills district.”
On the demand for establishing the office of Narcotics Control Bureau in Shillong, the HYC president said at present the NCB has its offices in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
“Recently, MoS for Home Affairs, Nityananda Rai informed that Meghalaya has become the transit route for smuggling of drugs from Manipur to other States of India… besides, number of drug users increased immensely, from 2 lakh in 2023 to about 3 lakh in 2024…for proper monitoring of drug smuggling cases and activities in the State, the NCB should establish its office in Meghalaya,” he added.
