The Risa Colony forest and abandoned structures there has become a haven for drug users with apprehensions that the neighbourhood could devolve further into a full-on deathbed and a hotspot for crime.
The concern was raised at a meeting held between members of the dorbar shnong and leaders of the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Nongthymmai circle today.
According to the dorbar, the abandoned structures located up in the higher reaches of the Risa Colony forest was put up by the municipal authorities, way back in the 1930s. The place is one of the isolated spots in the city, which is frequented by drug addicts.
In order to curb the drug menace, the meeting has decided to draw the attention of authorities on the need to completely close vehicular movement to the forest.
The meeting felt that since the forest department has insufficient staff to put a check on entry to the forest area, the dorbar can volunteer to put a check on any activities there.
The menace of drugs has become a major problem for the state. Last year, and the state government has brought together community stakeholders in the fight against the menace of drugs at a programme called Bringing Unity in Locale Against Drugs (BUILD) under the Drug Rehabilitation, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) programme.
Community members including faith based leaders and Rangbah Shnongs, Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei along with Synjuk Ki Dorbar united in a symbolic gesture by signing the community accord.
