Axe falls on five as Govt intensifies anti-drug drive
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 28, 2023 -

AS the only opposition in the present tenure, there is nothing wrong with the Congress party casting aspersions over efficiently of the government of Manipur and state’s investigative agencies in handling the drug seizure cases, but termination of service of the five police commandos in connection with January 16 drug haul case in Pallel implies that the government will no longer fret from taking hard decisions to penalise anybody trying to sabotage the war on drugs campaign.

There is no doubt that the announcement made by chief minister N Biren during his Republic Day celebration speech on Thursday to cut short service and salary of the accused personnel from the police department would npt only mean imminent financial difficulties for dependents of the five personnel but would also cause mental trauma to the immediate family members as they would be bereft of their main providers of income.

Nevertheless, there is no second option left for the government as the five have done serious damage to the reputation of the police force, whose role and responsibility, will be decisive on winning or losing the war on drugs.

For the last many weeks, the police department assisted by forest department personnel and central forces like the Assam Rifles deployed in the state have been carrying out extensive poppy plantation destruction drives consequent to confirmation of widespread cultivation of poppies in different hill districts.

Notwithstanding the indisposition of significant number of villages to the government’s appeal for joining the anti-drug campaign, there has been appreciable response from many others.

In view of poppy plantations mostly located in far-flung and unfriendly terrain there had been reports about the anti-poppy drive making the law enforcement agencies weary.

As involvement of the five commando personnel in drug peddling is certain to demoralise their sincere colleagues in addition to belittling endeavour of the government to eradicate the poppy menace for saving the future generations and the environment, terminating them from service is unlikely to generate derisive reactions from any sane person.

Moreover, possibility of the government taking stringent punitive actions against recalcitrant government employees was already made clear way back in March 2022 when chief minister N Biren took to his Facebook page to post: “War on Drugs 2.0. It is very unfortunate to find police personnel involving in drug trafficking. Whoever they may be, anybody involving in drug business will not be tolerated.”

The CM had also warned drug dealers and peddlers to either surrender or face consequences of stringent action which will be taken against them.

Any person arrested with illegal drugs, regardless of quantity, would face compulsory jail term of one year which will be extendable up to two years under the relevant Act, Biren, who also holds the home portfolio, had cautioned.

While those police personnel who had committed the crime of peddling narcotic drugs and are now serving jail time would be greatly relieved that their punishment would be limited to suspension from service, dismissal of service of the five commandos should serve as a grim reminder not to expect any sympathy from the government.