SHILLONG, NOV 14: Minister in-charge Social Welfare Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday announced the decision of the government to install vehicle scanning machines at Ri Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills districts for combating against drug trafficking into the state.
Speaking to reporters after the DREAM meeting, Lyngdoh said, “We discussed the need to install scanning vehicles at the entry points to the state of Meghalaya meaning from Ri Bhoi and East Jaintia Hills districts. So, one such vehicle will be installed within the next 6 months. The installation also requires trained manpower to handle equipment and to immediately detect any suspicious movement. These screening vehicles will be installed at all entry points to check all vehicles. All vehicles will go through the screening (machines).”
Lyngdoh also informed that the meeting has also resolved to further strengthen the anti-narcotic task force (ANTF) for tackling the drug trafficking in the state.
“We have asked the DG to make a proposal of the required manpower that can be dedicated to the ANTF in order to further enhance our efforts to tackling drugs effectively. Drug trafficking, which is a major threat to the state of Meghalaya in view of our proximity to the main drug market, which is in Myanmar and also the fact that the state has a long transit route, which passes right from Ri Bhoi district up to East Jaintia Hills district,” he said
“We discussed the strategy and action plan. However, some of the points of the action plan cannot be shared publicly because that will compromise on confidentiality and therefore, the capacity of us to effectively curb and eradicate drug trafficking,” he added.
The social welfare minister said that the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010 will be suitably amended to facilitate creation of improved facilities for volunteers, who are part of the village defence parties (VDPs).
“The number of VDP volunteers has also been fixed as 15 per party so as to ensure that in areas where population is less, we will be able to meet the required number,” he said.
On the setting up of fast track courts, Lyngdoh said, “We also have decided that there is this general complaint about cases taking very long and prosecution taking a toll on the complainants and witnesses so the state government would formally write through the chief minister and also discussed with our chief justice of the high court in order to facilitate the creation of a fast-track court, which will trial cases on a day-to-day basis.”
Asked on the demands put forth by a particular organization, the social welfare minister however said that the government will do its duty but it will not work under duress.
“It is not the concern of just one organization. We are committed to eradicating narcotics and drugs in the state of Meghalaya. We know our duty and responsibility. We will not work on duress. This is an elected government that has a commitment and an agenda. We do not work just because somebody has or is pushing us with their points,” he said.
“We appreciate all suggestions but we will work as I reiterate; we will not work under duress. In fact, HYC was part of a meeting held yesterday at the instance of the mission director of the DREAM project,” he added.