Thorough probe must to curb drug menace
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 18, 2023 -

WHILE continuous seizure of drugs from different corners of the state stands testimony to the rapid proliferation of narcotic drugs, a heroin peddler found driving a jeep Compass SUV with his wife as companion indicated the involvement of wealthy individuals in the illegal drug trading.

Huge quantities of heroin, brown sugar and other psychotropic prescription drugs being seized at alarming frequencies in recent times could be an indication that the growing cases of substance abuse is being abetted by the elite class of the society, who are supposed to take the leading role in eliminating the social scourge.

With none other than chief minister N Biren personally as well as passionately overseeing the anti-drug campaign, it seems that the police force too are in high spirit to eradicate the social malaise as is evident from increasing cases of law enforcement agencies recovering varied quantities of drugs in-spite of the peddlers adopting different tactics to deceive the security forces.

From using of two-wheelers to high-end vehicles, the drug smugglers had been trying to outwit the security personnel and some might be successful in completing the transaction or transportation.

Nevertheless, instances of law enforcement agencies seizing drugs from false chambers in the door panels, headlights, seats and chassis of vehicles to name a few, indicate that with better intelligence network and more importantly diligence of the men and women in uniform the anti-social elements could be eventually nailed.

At a time when the peddlers are deploying various deceptive means to smuggle the drugs, there is no doubt that it is the alertness of the law enforcement agencies that would see fruition of the crackdown against the drug menace.

It is equally important that thorough investigation be initiated as a follow-up action to the seizure of drugs without which the kingpins can't be exposed and the drugs proliferation will only continue.

As reported, chief minister N Biren, en-route to Sangai Ethnic Park at Moirang Khunou on Thursday for an inspection visit in connection with the upcoming G20 events, came across a Bishnupur police commando team and commended them for seizing heroin weighing 1.251 kg.

Visibly delighted over the successful detection of the drug consignment from the jeep Compass vehicle, the chief minister instructed the police commandos to initiate follow-up actions in order to trace origin of the drug consignment, where it was destined and identify the prime smugglers.

While such a firm instruction is expected from the chief minister, who is worried about gravity of psychotropic drug use in the society and increasing instances of drug smuggling, the onus is on the investigating officers to track down and book the main culprits.

For the past many years, state's police forces were generally involved in country-insurgency operations but with insurgency-related incidents dipping sharply in recent years, cases related to drug smuggling have been on the rise exponentially thereby increasing the task and responsibility of the law enforcement agencies to shield the youngsters from falling prey to the drug menace.

In-spite of state and central forces doing a commendable service to the society by seizing staggering quantities of drugs sent by air, through post offices, courier service and vehicles of varied shapes and sizes, the drug owners and the kingpins of trafficking managing to remain scot-free indicates that the follow-up investigations need to be more vigorous, if at all, the drug menace is to be effectively curbed.