Amidst the growing efforts of various groups to fight the drug menace in Meghalaya, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday cautioned against taking the law into one’s own hands, stressing that only professional enforcement can effectively tackle the crisis. “It is not only illegal but also weaken our efforts to tackle the drugs menance in the state because you need professionals, you cannot tackle drugs by going this vigilantism because because for instance when somebody catches when you catch drugs from someone’s possession and take hold of those drugs they are now under your possession, you can be accused,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
The Minister appealed to the dorbar shnongs to collaborate with the government by forming Village Defence Parties (VDPs) in their localities. He said the government has revised and enhanced the annual cash incentive for VDP members from ₹800 to ₹3,000, with their role focused on assisting the police with information and leads rather than round-the-clock patrolling. Lyngdoh, however, expressed concern that only 11 VDPs exist in Shillong despite its population exceeding six lakh. “I had shared with the dorbar shnong during a well attended meeting at the NEC building at Nongrim Hills where all major dorbar shnong of Shillong had attended and we appealed to them to avail the VDP scheme as VDP which is a legal entity and which will also give them legal coverage and protection and which works in tandem with the police department,” he said. “I would appeal to the dorbar shnongs to come forward take advantage of the offer of the state government because this is not government versus people, this is the people with us together tackling the menace of drugs,” he added.
The Minister further informed that six repeat offenders have been detained under PITNDPS for a year, extendable upon further violations. He also announced cash incentives of ₹10,000 per volunteer to personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), describing it as a “major initiative” that had not been undertaken before. Stressing that activism undermines government efforts, Lyngdoh said, “As you can see the ANTF is now a totally dedicated police force led by an SP with its own vehicles and trained personnel. Areas which have not been covered by them in the past for instance the cantonment area, Iewduh our ANTF guys are there almost on a daily basis. And for somebody to actually physically go and ahead and catch hold of suspected peddlers that itself is illegal and it also risk the health of a person who actually can come into contact with contaminated syringes and stuff like that.”
