Drugs worth Rs 9 crore seized
Surrender or face consequences: CM to drug dealers
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, March 25 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has warned drug peddlers and dealers operating in the State to either surrender or face consequences of stringent actions which will be taken up against them.

He was addressing the media at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today regarding drugs menace in the State.

He continued that any person arrested with illegal drugs, regardless of quantity, would face compulsory jail term of one year which will be extendable up to two years under relevant Acts.

He added that the State Police would file a case against any person found with illegal drugs regardless of quantity possessed.

However, use of drugs for treatment of addicts at rehabilitation centres under the supervision of doctors would be exempted, Biren said.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the situation of drug menace in the State is still alarming although the police forces had seized many illegal drugs during the last five years under the War on Drugs-I Campaign.

As such, the State Government would be putting in more efforts to totally root out drug menace from the State under War on Drugs-II.

He informed that the State Government had recently re-constituted the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) led by IGP- Zone-III Nishit Kumar Ujjwal which had started functioning.

The task force would not be swayed by any pressure from any person or group and would work sincerely according to law, with the objective to root out drug menace in the next two years.

Maintaining that any negligence on the part of police, thereby letting drug peddlers escape, will not be tolerated, N Biren added that they should work dutifully to nab drug peddlers at any cost.

He further stated that the State Police should make legal authorities aware of the drugs related situation in the State and also provide protection to Judges and lawyers from any undue influence.

He informed that the Director General of Police had been directed to open outposts with 5 to 10 police personnel at every village where illegal trafficking of drugs is frequently carried out.

The Anti-Narcotics Task Force had also been empowered to procure necessary vehicles and other equipment, he added.

Biren informed that drone surveys will be conducted to locate all the poppy plantation areas.

Assam Rifles and Central Narcotics Force will also be deployed in addition to the State Police to root out poppy plantation.

Home Minister Amit Shah had also expressed a positive note to provide additional personnel for the same, he added.

Relating the issue faced by young couples in conceiving naturally in the State to excessive use of intoxicants as per a report of the Health Department, he stated that youths nowadays have started using intoxicants as a fashion.

Such behaviour posed a question on 'our future generations', he added.

He warned that no person involved in drug trafficking would be excused even on grounds of earning their living by carrying out such illegal activities.

There are many respectful ways to earn a living, he added.

Regarding the indefinite bandh called by the Southern Angami Public Organisation, N Biren informed that the State Government had written a letter to the Nagaland Government and a copy of the same had also been sent to the Union Home Minister.

The police outpost is purely within the territorial boundary of Manipur and as such, the Government will not compromise the State boundary under any pressure, he added.

He further stated that the issue will be resolved soon through diplomatic ways.

It may be mentioned that a combined team of Commando, Imphal East and Anti-Narcotics Task Force of Manipur Police Department arrested a drug dealer namely Md Mujibur Rahaman from Khergao Awang Leikai with a large quantity of narcotic substances which value will be approximately Rs 1.2 crore in local market and around Rs 9 crore in international market.

The seized items were also displayed to media persons during the press conference.

The press conference was also attended by Director General of Police P Doungel and other officials concerned.

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