PIL on issue of drug menace in Manipur

August 19, 2020

Today the High Court of Manipur disposed a PIL on the issue of drug menace in Manipur. It was filed by USER (Users Society for Effective Response) Manipur, Paojel Chaoba (journalist) and Human Rights Alert (HRA).

Concerned with the menace of rampant increase in drug abuse, mass production of illicit drugs, trafficking, illegal poppy cultivation, mushrooming of clandestine manufacturing units etc. in the last two decades in the State of Manipur, the PIL was filed to take immediate and effective steps to control, prevent and reduce drug supply and its abuse in the State of Manipur.

The PIL also sought to formulate a Comprehensive State Policy and robust plan to tackle the current issues of supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.

Further, there are instances of arrest of numbers of drug traffickers. However, the convictions are of small fries and kingpins are rarely convicted and go scot free.

The PIL also high-lighted the recent episode of attempt to remove charge-sheet, jumping of bail, abduction and subsequent surrender of accused Lukhosei Zou and subsequent loss of remnants from police malkhana in S.T. No. 100 of 2018 FIR No. 43(6) 2018 NAB P.S.

The order stated:
… with the direction that the petitioners shall approach the State Government and the Central Government by way of their representations. It is made clear that this Court has not examined the correctness or otherwise of the averments made in the PIL and that this Court has not expressed any opinion thereon. If the petitioners are aggrieved by any action or inaction on the part of the State Government or the Central Government while considering the representations, it is open to the petitioners to approach this Court again in accordance with law.

As per the direction of the court, the petitioners will be submitting representations to the Union Home Ministry as well as the Government of Manipur today itself demanding handing over of the investigation of all the cases pertaining to drug haul of more than ten crores, including the case of Lukhosei Zou, to an independent agency such as CBI or NIA.

In the event of inaction on the part of the Government within a reasonable period of time, the petitioners will re-approach the Hon’ble Court to redress the much awaited judicial intervention for the people of Manipur.

Jogesh Maibam
President - USER, Manipur

Aribam Dhanajoy
Journalist

Babloo Loitongbam
Executive Director
Human Rights Alert
Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai
Imphal – 795001, Manipur