The increase in the number of drug-related arrests in Meghalaya is a reflection of a more aggressive and coordinated crackdown rather than a worsening of the drug pandemic in the state, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said today.
Responding to queries by reporters on whether drug cases in the state have risen or fallen, Sangma said the answer depends on how such cases are defined – whether by the number of users, traffickers or seizures. However, he maintained that intensified efforts by the police and the government are yielding results.
“For the first time, there is a strong, coordinated effort by the Centre, the state and across the North East to tackle the drug menace. The increase in arrests and seizures is a result of that proactive approach. It means more people involved in drug trafficking are being caught and that’s a good thing,” Sangma said.
He noted that Meghalaya has invested in strengthening its anti-narcotics infrastructure, including the formation of dedicated taskforces, a robust intelligence network and the setting up of forensic labs to speed up investigations and charge sheets.
“These developments are helping prevent drug offenders from walking free due to procedural lapses, which used to happen earlier. We now have in-house testing labs, which has been a game-changer,” the CM said.
Sangma stressed that addressing the drug problem requires a multi-pronged approach that targets not only the supply and distribution chains but also focuses on user rehabilitation and counselling.
On regional collaboration, he backed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s call for coordinated action across the North East. “It’s a regional problem that needs a regional solution. States are sharing intelligence and taking collective action,” Sangma added.
Although he did not share specific statistics, the CM mentioned that the number of drug users and overall cases has come down. “We are seeing improvements but I won’t say I’m satisfied. There’s still a long way to go. Our goal is to make Meghalaya drug-free,” he said.
The state’s DREAM (Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission) platform, which holds monthly reviews, was scheduled to meet today but was postponed due to the absence of the ministers concerned. The next meeting will address progress and challenges in greater detail.
