PIL filed for effective drug policy in State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2020: A Public Interest Litigation before the High Court has asked for a comprehensive State drug policy to curb the menace of drug smuggling and entrust independent agencies like the CBI or NIA to investigate all cases involving haul of drugs worth more than Rs 10 crore.

The PIL was filed by the Users' Society for Effective Response (USER) Manipur and Human Rights Alert as petitioners against the State of Manipur represented by Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary Home, DGP Manipur Police and SP NAB as respondents.

Stating many of the young generations have fallen prey to the menace of drug abuse in the last few decades, the PIL sought the Court to direct the State Government to formulate an effective drug policy and implement it to save the youth and State.

The PIL mentioned that there have been at least 156 major drug seizures by the NAB (Narcotics and Affairs of Border) Manipur.

However, it claimed that the public have been kept in the dark about the subsequent investigations and filing of charge sheets in the cases.

The rate of conviction in drug related cases in the State is meagre in comparison to the number of drug seizures in the last two decades.

In fact, not a single accused drug kingpin caught red handed has been convicted till date, claimed the PIL.

The PIL further mentioned that the State being very close to the golden triangle is highly vulnerable to fall victim to the spread of trans-border narco terrorism.

The alleged "flagrant manipulation of law enforcement agencies with an attempt to withdraw charge sheet", unexpected loss of remnants (drug) from the police malkhana, subsequent transfer of Special Public Prosecutor, OC NAB and Additional SP NAB (in the Lhukhosei Zou case) has cast doubt in the minds of the public about the sincerity of the system to uphold the law, claimed the PIL.

Stating the need for a policy that focuses on (drug) supply reduction to fight drug menace, the PIL prayed to hand over all the cases involving more than Rs 10 crore to independent agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .

The PIL suggested wide consultation of all stakeholders in formulating the State drug policy and monitor all trials under the ND&PS Act by the High Court of Manipur.

The PIL also prayed the Court to entrust CBI or NIA to investigate into the loss of remnants (drug) and alleged attempt to forcefully remove charge sheet from the Court of ND&PS Manipur in connection with the Lhukhosei Zou case.

The alleged abduction of the ADC Chairman (Lhukhosei Zou) from Imphal by armed militants and his subsequent surrender before the Court should also be investigated, said the PIL.

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