Shillong, Sep 17: The Meghalaya chapter of the Northeast Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) has appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to implement stringent measures to combat the growth of drug abuse in Meghalaya.
Welbirth Rani, chairman of the NEIPF’s Meghalaya chapter, emphasised that the state is facing a severe threat from drug abuse and trafficking, which poses a significant risk to public health, social stability and safety.
Rani expressed concern that if the issue is not addressed promptly, Meghalaya may gain notoriety as a hub for drug traffickers and addicts. He stressed the need to strengthen intelligence networks to curb inter-state drug trafficking and to dismantle supply chains.
The NEIPF suggested that the Meghalaya police create a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Battalion to focus exclusively on combating drug-related crimes. Rani appreciated the formation of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) but felt that a specialised battalion is necessary to tackle the issue effectively.
The forum also highlighted the need to involve village authorities in the fight against drug abuse. Rani proposed that Village Dorbars be allowed to form vigilante committees to report drug-related activities to law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, the NEIPF stressed the importance of removing the stigma associated with drug addiction and encouraged families affected by drug abuse to seek help.
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