Clarifying on whether an FIR should be registered under NDPS Act or Juvenile Justice Act for a juvenile alleged to have committed offence under NDPS Act, social welfare director Ng Uttam called for registering juvenile case of NDPS under JJ Act and transmit juvenile NDPS case to JJ Board, as juvenile offenders (below 18 years of age) will be governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021.
Uttam was speaking during the one-day state level workshop on ‘Joint Action Plan on Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse Among Children and Illicit Trafficking’ held on Wednesday at Manipur Press Club. It was organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in partnership with the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).
Uttam said that the joint action plan on prevention of drugs and substance abuse among children and illicit trafficking should be worked together between the general public and stakeholders to achieve it. Under the initiative of the state government, various activities, plans, policies and even schemes have been implemented to fight against drug issues in the state, he added.
Under the Manipur State Policy on Psychoactive Substances 2019, primary intervention programmes among the non-users, with special focus on women and children, both in short- and long-term holistic approach, have been held. And under the COTPA Act, posters have been distributed for posts at schools or surrounding schools, he said, adding that it will continue to distribute the posters in schools district-wise.
In the present context, many cases under NDPS Act have found involvement of juvenile drug peddlers or in drug trades in the state, he said and added that they should be handed over to JJB. While minor drug users are another issue in the state, it is reportedly increasing in the state though there are no scientific studies, he added.
With regards to juveniles being released on bail within a few days in NDPS, Uttam urged for detaining the child until they reform themselves and for their protection from drug smugglers as they could be used again as drug peddlers. Uttam also called for the concerned authorities to be loyal and honest on such sensitive cases, investigate actual smugglers and arrest to punish.
He even urged schools to organise awareness programmes and to call people from de-addiction centres as resource persons. Taking advantage of the workshop, Uttam reminded the private de-addiction centres, who are yet to register, to provide adequate infrastructure.
He also explained about the guidelines for setting up of Treatment and Rehabilitation of users for Social Transformation (TRUST) Centre in Manipur and Minimum Standard of care and services for Treatment and Rehabilitation of users for Social Transformation.
Deputy commissioner of Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana, said that intensive measures are being taken up in the state to manage drugs including mitigation of supply reduction and demand deduction.
She stressed on factors of how a child becomes a drug user, stating that there are factors from families that a child learns to use drugs and that families should be very careful about it. Every individual should take part in the intensive efforts of the government to fight against drug menace in the state, she added.
Chairperson of Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Phurailatpam Manibabu Sharma, said that the drug chain system started in 1970 in India but it was only known in 972 that India was into trading drugs, and then the use of drugs for fashion or trend began. He also explained about the influence of films or movies that show using drugs.
In the present context of Manipur, involving children in peddling or trade or using drugs is rising. It is not early or late to combat the issue, so, let’s join hands together to prevent such offences loyally, he added.
The programme was attended by joint director of the Social Welfare Department, Bantee Konthoujam; MCPCR members, Kh Jitendra, L Megharaj Sharma, Sumuel Yumnam and others legal services authority members and volunteers and police personnel.
