'Stronger law needed to check drug trafficking'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2022:
Manipur has become a transit and an epicenter for drug trade and clandestine drug factories, said six student bodies calling for a stronger law and collective efforts of all against illicit drug trafficking.
The student bodies include Manipur Students' Federation, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students' Association, Students' Union of Kangleipak, Apunba Imagi Machasing and another student body.
According to "Magnitude of Substance Report 2019" published by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, Manipur has about 34,344 drug users.
This is proof that illicit drugs has got a hold in Manipur and the State is far from curbing drug menace, said the six student bodies in a joint statement.
Drug menace has impacted the society and many youths including school children have become victims of drug abuse.
Many have died of overdose and many have been made orphans and widows.
Drug related crimes are on the rise, the student bodies said.
Being a neighbour of Myanmar, which is the largest producer of opium next to Afghanistan, Manipur has become a transit and an epicenter of drug trade and clandestine manufacturing units.
Police and security forces have busted many illicit drug factories in the State.
Many drug peddlers and smugglers have been arrested and a ton of cases have been registered, but the problem of drug menace continues.
While efforts are on to make Manipur a drug free State, poppy plantations continue in many interior parts of the State.
Once thick forests, many hill ranges have been cleared and made barren for poppy cultivation.
Beside the problems it causes to the society, poppy plantations destroy the environment and ecological balance, said the student organisations.
Even when alternative crops are available to earn living legally, the people indulging in the trade of drugs continue to cultivate poppies.
Here, it is important that people ponder why the drug trafficking continues and why the conviction rate is low.
To answer, there is a need for stricter punishment and collective efforts of all.
The ND&PS Act needs amendment for it to become stronger and deter drug traffickers.
Releasing arrested drug peddlers and smugglers on bail only encourages them to continue, the student bodies said.
To face and check poppy cultivation, they said not only the cultivators, but also the whole village concerned should be held responsible and appropriate actions should be taken up against them.
When police need to perform foolproof investigation into cases of drug trafficking, the judiciary needs to be strong and show no leniency towards drug peddlers and smugglers.
Drug smugglers and peddlers are enemies of society and the State.
Every locality should stand strong against drug abuse and drug trade and report known cases to the police, the student bodies said.