Imphal, July 19 2010: Towards checking cross-border smuggling of drugs, the Ministry of Home Affairs has already given approval to fence 10 Kms along the Indo-Myanmar border near Moreh.

The State has been urging the Centre to extend the border fencing by another 10 Kms, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on the floor of the State Assembly today.

The Chief Minister was responding to a call attention motion raised by NPP MLA T Hangkhanpao and MPP MLA O Joy about the menace caused by intoxicants and drugs.

Claiming that the State Government has taken various measures to check smuggling and abuse of illicit drugs, Ibobi said that Border Affairs, Narcotic Cell was established in 1995 towards this end.

The cell was particularly engaged in collection of information about snuggling and abuse of drugs but it was unable to cover all the districts, Ibobi admitted.

Around 367 Kms of international boundary with Myanmar remains quite porous without any fencing, much to the advantage of cross-border smugglers of drugs.

This has been multiplying the problems of the State.

After the Ministry of Home Affairs has given consent to put up border fencing for 10 Kms along Moreh sector, the State Government has been urging the Centre to fence another 10 Kms of the international border, the Chief Minister informed the House.

Stating that the responsibility of guarding the international boundary has been entrusted to Assam Rifles, Ibobi claimed that due efforts are being check smuggling of drugs into Manipur.

So far 42 cases have been registered under Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances Act.

Several other measures to check drug abuse and smuggling are also being taken up by the Committee headed by the Chief Secretary as chairman.

Poppy plants cultivated over 295 acres of land and ganja cultivated over 20 acres have been destroyed.

Further, efforts are being made to identify poppy and ganja cultivations, if there is any more, with the help of satellite imaging.

The Chief Minister assured the House that necessary steps would be initiated to strengthen NACB and also to foster effective coordination with police to curb smuggling and punish smugglers.

He stated that the Government would study whether or not local clubs/organisations and NGOs can be co-opted in curbing the drug menace.

In connection with the stabbing to death of Deputy Ranger of Churachandpur Forest Office, Kapkhanpao on July 15, police have pulled up his son, Thangminlien.

With a case registered against him, Thangminlien has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.

On questioning, he disclosed that he killed his father in a fit of rage under inebriated state due to a misunderstanding, Ibobi stated.

Raising the call attention motion, Hangkhanpao stated that heroin No 4 is being sold quite openly in Churachandpur leading to large scale abuse of the drug.

This has resulted in even patricide.

Asking about the measures taken up by the Government about drug abuse and smuggling, Hangkhanpao sought attention of the Government to take up stringent action against drug traffickers.

He went on to suggest that UG groups under SoO may be roped in in curbing drug menace.

Recalling that the State Govt's decision to enhance it's resources by issuing permits to liquor shops was vehemently objected by public in 1990, O Joy observed that in spite of the existing prohibition, crimes related to abuse of drug/intoxicants continue unabated.

He claimed that there were reports of a major UG group earning huge incomes by dealing in illicit drugs.

Comment