Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday warned drug dealers or peddlers operating in the state to either surrender or face consequences as stringent action will be taken against them.
Biren was addressing a press conference at his secretariat in Imphal West in connection with the ongoing “War on Drugs-2” which was launched immediately after the formation of the new BJP-led government in Manipur.
The chief minister also warned that any person who is arrested in connection with illicit drug-related case, regardless of the quantity, would have to undergo compulsory imprisonment of at least one year which may extend up to two years under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
However, possession of illicit drugs which are to be used at rehabilitation centres will be exempted only if provided the necessary certificate prescribed by the government’s authority concerned, he informed.
The drug menace in the state is still alarming, even after the completion of the five-year mission on “War on Drugs”, he said, adding that the government will take up every possible measures during the “War on Drugs-2” mission to eradicate drug menace in the state within two years.
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) which was recently constituted has started functioning in full swing to detect movement and transportation of illegal items, he said, adding that the state government will also be using the Assam Rifles and Central Narcotics Force to destroy poppy plantations all across the state.
Biren informed that according to a medical report from government’s data, it is learned that many youngsters are unable to conceive naturally due to having a history of using intoxicants.
Expressing strong displeasure on learning that some youngsters consume illicit drugs considering it as a fashion, he said, “Such behaviour posed a question on our future generations.”
“No drug peddlers or dealers will be spared. Selling drugs even in small quantities will not be an excuse for livelihood,” he added.
Appealing to the public to support the “War on Drugs-2”, Biren asked the entire politicians to not interfere in drug-related cases and the police department to never compromise at any cost.
The government is also ready to provide security to the judges and lawyers from any undue influences in judging and fighting drug cases, the chief minister said, adding that police outposts will also be established in every village where illegal trafficking of drugs is frequently carried out.
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In the efforts under “War on Drug-2”, the Imphal East district police along with the ANTF on Thursday had seized 67,900 SP capsules, 350 WY tablets, 115 N-10 tablets, 135 grams of heroin powder, eight bottles of cough syrups from Kshetrigao Awang Leikai, Imphal East, during a random frisking and checking.
According to police, the confiscated illicit drugs are worth around Rs 1.2 crore in the local market and Rs 9 crore in the international market.
One of the accused, who was transporting the drugs, identified as one Md Mujibur Rahaman, 41, son of Md Najamuddin of Kshetrigao Awang Leikai was arrested on the spot. However, his associates who was coming in another vehicle identified as Md Sher Khan alias Ajam Khan, 32, son of late Md Indon of Kshetrigao Awang Leikai fled, leaving his vehicle and the drugs behind. He is still at large, said police.
The confiscated drugs were displayed before the media at the chief minister’s secretariat during the press briefing.
Governor La Ganesan on Thursday had informed that in 2021, a massive seizure was made, including 87 kilograms of heroin, 1,320 kilograms of brown sugar, 505 kilograms and 80 litres of opium, nearly 10 lakh tablets and over 64 kilogram of WY(Amphetamine).
Altogether 42 cases were registered and 20 were disposed under ND and PS Act and a total of 3,424 acres of illicit poppy cultivation were destroyed, he added.
