Body rues Govt silence on plight of victims of drug menace
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 12 2024: The government of Manipur has failed to file its response on why people who fell victims or suffered loss due to the drug menace should not be considered as victims of crime of drug trafficking and granted the right to ap peal against acquittal of drug traffickers.

In a release.

The 3.5 Collective, a conglomerate of civil societies, informed that the matter was brought up in the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday before a division bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and PB Varale as a Special Leave Petition filed by one of its members challenging the acquittal of Lukhosei Zou, former chairperson of Chandel Autonomous District Council and others by the Special NDPS Court as well as the High Court of Manipur's judgment denying The 3.5 Collective, recovering addicts and family members of the recovered addicts, all affected by drug trafficking in the region.

As the petitioner, The 3.5 Collective co-convenor Maibam Jogesh highlighted the suffering of his co-petitioner (no 3) namely Ramthing Hungyo, whose native place, Kamjong has become a haven of cross- border drug trafficking, had the bitter experience of his now 40-year old son using drugs at a very tender age apart from a grandnephew recently becoming a victim of drug overdose, the release said.

Stating that The 3.5 Collective sincerely hoped that the government would file objections in time, so that the Supreme Court can deL liver justice expeditiously, the release wondered how the government could justify launch of the 'war against drugs' if it remains indifferent to the petition seeking right of the victims of drug menace to appeal against acquittal of drug traffickers.

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