Amid growing concern over the rise of drug users and theft in the state capital, South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai today convened a meeting with stakeholders of the municipal area under his constituency, which was attended by officials from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and police.
This meeting was in continuation of the meeting held two months ago with stakeholders of the Shillong Cantonment area. After the arrest of infamous drug supplier Aisha Khatoon from Jhalupara (a Cantonment area), the MLA informed that there have been no more complaints.
The meeting held today discussed issues related to drug peddlers, illegal immigrants, theft cases and other issues concerning the general public.
Shullai urged the public that there is a need for all communities to work together with the police and bring back the old practice of community night patrolling locally known as ‘ap shnong’. He said that night patrols will deter addicts and suppliers from creating a menace.
“I feel sorry to look at the situation that drug addicts are not even sparing places of worship. It is a serious issue and we have to intensify patrolling. I call upon residents of respective localities to work in tandem with the police department and concerned authorities to conduct the checks and create awareness,” said Shullai.
He was also of the opinion that to end the drug problem, the authorities will have to defeat the suppliers, which means that vehicle checks need to be stepped up and should not spare VIPs or even military transport.
“We have to focus on how drugs are entering the city. The main action the government should take is that we have to install check gates and seal entry and exit points like Byrnihat and Jaintia Hills… Check every car; if we check for a year I believe we can eradicate the drug menace in the state,” he said.
Shullai added that there were cases of policemen and even military forces caught with drugs, so there is a lack of trust and no one should be spared or shown leniency.
Concerning rehabilitation, Shullai mentioned how he has given financial assistance to families that had to send their children for rehabilitation treatment. “The rehabilitation treatment and centres in the state are mostly private. Many families cannot afford that. Now what is happening is the central government has sanctioned thousands of crores (of rupees) in the North East to construct rehabilitation centres,” he said, adding that Assam, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur all got funding but not Meghalaya nor Mizoram because “they are not BJP ruled states”.
He has held discussions with the Chief Minister and Deputy CM. Once land is identified, the state government will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and take it to the central government for sanctioning of funds.
Meanwhile, Rangbah Shnong of Laban, EL Kharwanlang, put a query to the police present about whether those in possession of small amounts of drugs are arrested as a matter of course.
“We have to think about the problem of drug addicts. I don’t see any government rehabilitation centres. I request the government to take up this matter very seriously. Parents come to the dorbar mentioning about the financial crisis and how they are unable to afford the rehab centres,” said Kharwanlang.
He also expressed his concern about their concern of illegal immigrants and how there is need to check from the grassroot that is the dorbar level. He suggested that contractors need to register the labourers to ensure strict checking is done. He also agreed that the increase of theft is due to the rise of drug abuse.
Superintendent of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, responded that the law has three categories when it comes to possession of drugs – small, intermediate and commercial. Arrests can be made in all three categories and the quantum of punishment varies.
“The law says consumption is a crime but then we all are human beings, right? We also have to understand that the addict is a victim also. Now, where the problem gets complicated is that because drugs don’t come cheap, most of the addicts end up being peddlers or mules. So, if you look at this problem in its entirety, it is a problem which does not have a simple solution,” stated the SP, adding that his personal view is that addicts should not be punished but the law says otherwise.
However, Dhanoa assured the Rangbah Shnong that he accepts that the addicts should at least be booked. “Because I understand it really knocks down the confidence of the community when they come to the aid of police and then the police, at times, do not do their work. So, I take that and we will try to ensure that going ahead, we will ensure that the trust of the community becomes more and more in the police,” said Dhanoa.
