Satellite imagery, drone tech to be used: DGP
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 23 2022: DGP Manipur P Doungel said that the home department will start using satellite imagery and drone technology in its war on drugs mission.

Informing this during a press meet held at his police headquarters office here on Wednesday, Doungel said that CM N Biren held a meeting with heads of different departments on Wednesday and gave strong instruction to intensify the war on drug mission and anti-corruption activities.

In terms of the fight against drugs, the home department has started using satellite imagery and drones to identify poppy cultivation areas for effective work of destroying those poppy farms, he said.

From December last year till the election, the police department destroyed poppy cultivation in around 1950 acres of land.

Police personnel even stayed three to four nights in those areas and carried out extensive activities.

However, the drive against illegal poppy farm was stopped for some time due to election but the drive will resume soon, he said.

On the other hand, necessary initiatives have been taken up to strengthen police intelligence against drugs to intercept drug smuggling.

Check points wifi be set up in hill areas near the Indo-Myanmar border to intercept drug trafficking along the border areas through foot trails.

Any person arrested in drug trafficking related cases can be detained for up to one year without producing before the court under the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which is more or less similar to National Security Act.

Till date, nine people have been arrested and detained under the Act and three of them are still in the jail, he said.

Responding to media, the DGP said that police often face certain shortfalls in arresting the drug lords as they often turn out to be residents from other states or countries.

Besides, the smugglers do not have knowledge of the kingpins, who hide their trails well.

Though involvement of SoO cadres in illegal poppy cultivation in hill areas cannot be ruled out, police cannot take action due to lack of evidence.

In the past, no FIR was registered for destroying poppy farms but FIRs are being registered now and village chiefs have been issued strong warning against allowing such illegal activities in their respective areas, he informed.

NAB SP K Meghachandra, who also attended the press conference, said that union home minister in a recent meeting instructed to set up anti-narcotics task force in every state.

Consequently, a task force for Manipur headed by IGP Zone-Ill has been formed on March 5.Its members are representative of principal chief conservator of forest not less than the rank of chief conservator, DIGP (intelligence/NAB), director (TA&H), director (Social Welfare), joint/deputy secretary (home), director (horticulture), managing director Cyber Corporation (IT), director (MARSAC) and SP NAB.

Chief Minister N Biren chaired the first meeting of the task force and the meeting discussed the need to intensify the war on drug mission and to ensure good coordination between the task force and district police so as to carry out extensive drives, he said.

The officer also appealed to CSOs and other organisations to cooperate with the police in eradicating drug menace from the soil of the state.

ADGP (police modernisation) L Kailun and ADGP (training/ law & order) Clay Khongsai also attended the press conference.

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