Amid allegations by a banned insurgent outfit claiming the involvement of a former Manipur legislator in a drug trafficking network that allegedly passed through Meghalaya, the State government on Thursday indicated that it would examine the reports, with Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya Paul Lyngdoh stating that he had seen the reports and, for details including how the alleged modus operandi operated, he would discuss the matter with the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police), who is currently out of town.
Responding to the allegations, Paul Lyngdoh said, “I saw those reports however for details, how the modus operandi, etc, I will discuss with deputy chief minister in-charge home (Police) who is currently not in town.”
The Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) has claimed that former Manipur MLA Md Fajur Rahim is involved in a drug trafficking racket. The Military Council of the KCP (PWG), which has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in a statement claimed that Rahim had transported banned substance to Bangladesh in an ambulance flagged off by the Congress in Manipur and which travelled through Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya. The insurgent group further alleged that Rahim is running his drug trade using his political influence, adding that one of his close associates is Hefaj Uddin.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also spoke about his recent meeting with the Union Minister for Social Welfare, describing the interaction as productive and helpful in addressing pending issues concerning organisations functioning under the Social Welfare Department in the State. “I went very well because first I have already establish personal rapport with him, we met last year in August at Shatri Bhavan Delhi in the presence of our chief minister and there were a lot pressing issues, pending matters, which we could take up during his visit in Shillong. The major achievement of the meeting I had with him this time was that funding for various NGOs and SHG with the operating with the department of Social Welfare, their pending liabilities will now be cleared as per his assurance,” he added.
On the public interest litigation currently before the High Court concerning the drug menace, the Adviser said the government is simultaneously strengthening community-based vigilance mechanisms to assist law enforcement agencies.
“It’s a very fortunate that you brought up this point because this evening itself I had an interaction with the SP ANTF and we have already gone ahead and decided with Dorbar Shnong of major hotspot in the city which is Dorbar Shnong of Nongsohphoh Mawprem that we will formally launch the Village Defense Party of that area on the 13 March,” Lyngdoh said.
He said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance grassroots-level participation in combating drug trafficking. “That is the progress we have been making, so this will be the second formally launch within Shillong. As you are aware the city itself has just 12 VDPs which is very inadequate considering the multiple challenges face, so the status as of now is that we are trying to encourage more and more Dorbar Shnongs to come forward, partner with the department so that we are able to have foot soldiers, against the menace who will be also working in tandem with the state police department.”
Paul Lyngdoh further asserted that the State government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle narcotics trafficking, combining intensified enforcement with greater community engagement. “It is multipronged approach, a lot of these details cannot be share in the public domain because of the various nuisances that involve drugs trafficking, but I can assure you that we have stepped into new territories which have not been covered earlier, the kind of raids, the frequency of the raids, you will appreciates, that the government is absolutely serious to tackle drug menace.”
