Drug menace in state finds mention In parliament
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB
Imphal, March 14 2023:
The government has taken up various steps to tackle drug smuggling in border areas, stated Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai, in a writ ten reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In his reply, the Union MoS said that seizure of drugs, especially those based on opium and can nabis, is increasing in Manipur, which shares common and porous border with Myanmar, as per latest data published by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pertaining to the year 2021.NCRB data shows that 3076.312 kgs of opium based drugs, 168.151 kgs of cannabis based drugs, 42,892.601 kgs of psychotropic substances were seized in Manipur in 2019; 3709.098 kgs of opium based drugs, 111.785 kgs of cannabis based drugs, & 131.785 kgs of psychotropic substances were seized in 2020; and 75,900.66 kgs of opium based drugs, 826.599 kgs of cannabis based drugs, & 176.782 kgs of psychotropic substances were seized 2021.According to the MoS, BSF, SSB and Assam Rifles have been empowered under the Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (ND&PS) Act for making interdiction of narcotic drugs.
Detailed vulnerability mapping has been carried out along the border to strengthen surveillance by deploying additional Special Surveillance Equipment and other available resources in the vulnerable patches.
Surveillance equipment like Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night Vision Device (NVD), Twin Telescope, and UAVs are being used as force multipliers for effective area domination.
In addition to that, Long-Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS) and Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR) are also deployed.
Integrated Surveillance technology equipped with CCTV/PTZ Cameras, IR sensors and infrared alarm with Command and Control system have also been installed at selected patches of the international border.
Effective domination of the borders are also taken up by carrying out round the clock surveillance of the border through patrolling, laying nakas, manning observations posts all along the international borders.
Installation of border flood lights along border security fence to light up the area during hours of darkness is also another measure taken up by the government.
The Union MoS Nityanand Rai further said that special operations and joint operations with other agencies such as state police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) are being conducted along the borders.
Erection of fence, Border Out Posts (BOPs), border flood lights along the international border and use of watercraft/boats and floating BOPs for domination of riverine areas of international border are also parts of the measures taken up to tackle drug trafficking, the minister said.