Shillong,July 7: The intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was sought for setting up a sub-zonal office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Shillong.
The NHRC special monitor Rakesh Anthana held a meeting with the state officials on Monday.
The meeting was convened by social welfare department.
The state government made a proposal to have Narcotics office during a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong in presence of the NHRC special monitor, a former DG BSF and also ex-head of NCB, who is in Shillong on a three-day visit to Meghalaya to take stock of the situation on drug trafficking in state.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters that during the discussion, the government had sought the intervention of the NHRC for the creation of NCB sub-zonal office in Shillong.
“The government has already proposed for a sub-zonal office of the NCB and we sought the intervention of the NHRC in order to push the agenda forward,” he added.
Scanner vehicles
The government apprised the officer of the NHRC about the proposal of the government for procurement of scanner vehicles, which is funded by the Centre.
“The proposal has already reached the union ministry but there seems to be undue delay in sanctioning of these vehicles. We had sought for initially two such vehicles and we have been assured that the special monitor of the NHRC will intervene on behalf of the state government,” said the minister.
Detention move for 3 years
The meeting discussed about the PITNDPS Act.œ “A major component of the Act is that there is a provision for preventive detention. We sought that the period of preventive detention be further extended up to three years.”
“Currently there are already four persons, who have been detained under the PITNDPS and there are 12 other cases that are in the stage of active consideration,”he said.
Focus on entry points of drugs
When asked, the minister said the government has identified at least two entry points to Meghalaya, both of which are in Ri Bhoi district.
“The DGP has been assigned with the responsibility of following up the matter along with the NHRC whose special monitor is visiting the state to take stock of the situation,” he said.
“I am glad to share with you that the special monitor was very appreciative of the various interventions of the Meghalaya government. He made a special remark of the fact that Meghalaya is one of the few states which has like the DREAM project, which involves the entire community and also includes educational institutions and faith based organizations. That he was very appreciative and assured us full support of the NHRC,” Lyngdoh said.
He said detailed discussion with the NHRC official will take place on Tuesday.
“A few suggestions have been made on the points raised about for instance the fact that Meghalaya happens to be within the striking range of major drug supply chain, which is the golden triangle of Myanmar and therefore, the problem of supply is a major threat because unlike for instance the state of Punjab where the supply is locally based, here the main supply chain is from outside of Meghalaya,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the special monitor has appreciated that Meghalaya has gone all out to crack down on illicit drug trafficking.
“Apart from everything else, the fact that ours is a community-led initiative, the entire community is involved and like in many cases of states where only the government is involved”, he added.
The meeting on Monday was represented by senior officials of the home ( police) department including DGP and her officers, commissioner & secretary in-charge social welfare, additional chief secretary, members from law department and DREAM mission.
