Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has said that the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) acted on “sentiments” but the government will act as per law.
The pressure group had on May 23 carried out an unsanctioned eviction of alleged illegal settlers and demolished their dwellings at Lum Survey located opposite the Ïewduh Fire and Emergency Station.
“We understand the sentiments of our young people. They had so much sentiment and they thought that demolition is such a simple issue. They just go throw and settle it,” Tynsong said emphasising that the law must be upheld.
“We are also not in favour of sheltering them. If they are illegal settlers the law will take its course,” he said.
He noted that the HYC’s action was a gross violation, since the issue is currently before the High Court.
Tynsong urged all stakeholders to refrain from taking the law into their own hands to avoid complications.
He reassured that the government is actively addressing the matter, verifying the residents’ legal status to determine if they are Indian citizens.
“The certification and verification is still on, and after the Court hearing, you will see the next steps to be taken by the state government and the Defence Estate Officer,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
On HYC’s involvement in tackling drug issues, Tynsong affirmed that the government’s priority is to target drug suppliers, who he said are ruining many lives.
He also mentioned the government’s DREAM project, which aims to combat drug abuse and its impact on society.
Meanwhile, the HYC met Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang and submitted to her a representation on matter relating to the menace of drugs abuse in the State.
In the representation to Nongrang, the HYC stated that selling and consuming of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the state of Meghalaya seems to be increasing day by day.
“We are of the opinion that maximum quantities of these drugs are being supplied to the state from outside as can be evident from the seizures and interception made by the police. We firmly believe that if the law enforcement agencies could reduce the trafficking of these drugs into the state, the situations will improve drastically,” the HYC stated.
The pressure group also suggested that the Police Department should adopt proper and more stringent strategy to reduce the supply of drugs into the state.
The HYC stated that the state police, the Border Security Force and the Custom & Central Excise should conduct joint operations and share information on drugs by pooling in resources to effectively tackle the menace of drugs in the state as frequently as possible and also rope in the Village authorities in this effort.
The HYC also stated that the NDPS Act, 1985 provides for stringent provisions for offences related to drugs abuse and trafficking.
“Despite the fact that major offences under the Act are non-bailable, it has been observed that in several cases the drug offenders secure acquittal on technical grounds. A large number of offenders in NDPS cases are acquitted due to non-compliance of mandatory provisions and the prescribed procedure. The acquittals in serious offences particularly in NDPS cases create a sense of insecurity in the society and undermine the faith of the common man in the administration of criminal justice system,” the HYC said.
The pressure group also stated that it is incumbent upon the Investigating Agencies/Prosecutors to be well-versed in the compliances of mandatory provisions and the prescribed procedures and to discharge their assigned duties in a professional manner in order to achieve the desired objective of the law.
The HYC said that therefore, to accomplish the purpose and objective of the Act and to ensure conviction of Offenders in NDPS cases, the enforcement agencies of the state are expected to know and adhere the provisions of the Act during investigation stage and also ensuring vigorous follow up during the prosecution stage.
The HYC also stated that Section 317 of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Repealing the Indian Penal Code, 1860), which shall come into force on 1st July, 2024 provides for the provisions relating ‘receiving or retaining’ any stolen property.
According to the HYC during their interactions with the ‘drug users’ as well as their family members, they have come across many cases where the users in order to get money for buying drugs are forced to commit theft even from their homes or family members.
The HYC said that these stolen properties are then sold at take away prices to some persons.
“So in order to create awareness about this particular provision of law and to create a deterrent effect so as selling and buying of stolen properties, especially by drugs users, are not easy, we urged upon you to take necessary steps to inform the public about this Provision and the consequences of violating the same,” the HYC stated in its representation to the DGP.
