Shillong, Nov 20: A worrying trend has emerged in one of the localities in Shillong, where drug peddlers are now using children to sell drugs. This was confirmed by Paul Lyngdoh, Advisor to the Social Welfare Department, today.
He confirmed that there are indeed reports of such incidents, calling it a very worrying trend.
Lyngdoh chaired a meeting with the Superintendent of Police of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to review the progress of the department’s work against drug trafficking in the city and also discuss new inputs he received about certain areas in Shillong where groups of peddlers are pushing drugs into the market. He shared the information with the ANTF and asked the SP to take immediate action.
“Coordination between the state, the district police, the ANTF and the local committee is very important. At this point of time, I would like to make a clarion call to the community. It is high time for them to come forward and help us. We are a close-knit society and if anybody thinks the problem does not involve his family, he is wrong, because we are so closely connected that the peddler might be your next-door neighbour,” Lyngdoh said.
While urging communities to step forward and assist the government in addressing the issue, he cited an example of the Dorbar Shnong of Nongsohphoh Upper Mawprem, which recently formed a village defence party (VDP). It is the 12th VDP in Shillong city.
“Can you imagine a city with a population close to 6 lakh having such marginal community participation in a matter as crucial as the need to eradicate drugs and narcotics from Meghalaya?” Lyngdoh said.
He added that almost every district in the state has now been affected by drugs and narcotics. Shillong and East Jaintia Hills remain the most affected – Shillong being the capital and East Jaintia Hills acting as a major entry point for drug traffickers.
According to Lyngdoh, there are several busy commercial areas in the city, such as the stretch leading to Motphran, that are highly vulnerable to drug activities. He pointed out that ANTF presence has been weak in these places and called for immediate action in coordination with the police.
Lyngdoh explained that many areas, including those near civilian–cantonment zones in his own constituency of West Shillong, had become hotspots over the years due to very little police presence. “Drug trafficking was rampant, but now we have sorted it out and also received support from the cantonment authorities,” he said.
He added that the Mawbah–Lumsohphoh Dorbar Shnong has recently formed a VDP, calling it a welcome step. Lyngdoh said community involvement is key in fighting social problems like drug abuse.
“We cannot expect the police to do everything. We need support and information from the local community,” he said. He also mentioned that the state cabinet has recently approved a new structure for VDPs, including higher remuneration for volunteers.
Lyngdoh said he is hopeful that with stronger police coordination and more vigilance from the community, Shillong can prevent the drug problem from growing further.
