Hand over case to CBI demand : Take all on board
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 24, 2023 -

Hand over all drug cases to CBI. This is the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee and this include all drug cases from 2012 till date.

A sort of a retort or a dare to the BJP to hand over all drug cases, including the cases that came to light when the Congress was in power at Imphal.

This is a war against drug and not a game is another addition to the verbal duel between the two principal political parties, this one coming from the BJP vice president Ch Chidananda.

More than enough indication that Manipur has for long reeled under the impact of drugs and while it is expected of the Congress, as the principal Opposition, to go on the offensive against the Government, it is important for everyone not to lose sight of the fact that the drug issue should not be reduced to a stand off between the two political parties.

What is at stake here is Manipur and the youngsters and the situation certainly calls for an honest approach to the issue at hand.

As already pointed out here on the very day that the report of five police personnel being arrested while smuggling drugs came in, The Sangai Express had talked about the need for the Government to look beyond the cops held with the drugs, but investigate who were the persons for whom the drugs were being smuggled.

Does not need rocket science technology to smell a hand behind the drug consignment.

The Government seems to be intent on the War on Drugs campaign and to make it more meaningful it is important that the arrest of the five policemen while smuggling drugs is taken to its next level.

Expose the kingpins, is the repeated line that has been maintained and this will stand.

Apart from taking up the needed steps to expose the kingpins or the druglords, the Government would do well to listen to the suggestions that have come forth from the very set of people who have been at the forefront in battling the scourge of drug use amongst the youngsters and not so young people of Manipur.

A comprehensive approach is what many have advocated and as stated by the Head of Department of the Psychiatry Department of RIMS, Dr S Gojendra it will help if the Government reaches out to all stakeholders and work towards demand and supply reduction, not to talk about the harm reduction.

Take all concerned on board and listen to the feedbacks of the people who have been dealing with drug users.

This is one line of approach which the Government may seriously ponder over.

Taking the village folks into confidence and stressing on their cooperation to deal with and stop poppy plantation is a move ahead but this can only be a part of the War on Drugs.

Reach out to those who have been dealing with drug users or abusers and see how demand may be reduced.

This can be one effective way of taking the fight to the drug menace.

This is where all, including the Congress would need to come on board and admit that cooperation is perhaps be the best way forward for Manipur to deal with the drug menace.

Yes point out if and when there are any loopholes in the approach of the Government but care needs to be taken to ensure that it is not politicised.

The BJP Government on its part should also come to the point that the War on Drugs cannot be tackled effectively alone, leave alone winning the War.

Take all on board. Consult with the experts to ensure or come near the understanding of demand reduction and harm reduction.

This will also send the right message that the Government is indeed serious about tackling the menace caused by wide-spread use or abuse of drugs and yes go beyond arresting the traffickers and expose the drug kingpins, those who are financing the whole process of buying the drugs from the source to supplying them outside the State.