NCB Imphal unit suffers from insufficient manpower
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Bijoy Laishram

Imphal, May 16 2012: Even though Manipur is one of the worst drug hit states in India, the Narcotic Control Bureau unit in the state which was set up under the Union Home Ministry has been suffering from lack of manpower with the few staffs feeling the heat of work pressure.

Considering the issues of drug related crimes and problems prevalent in the state of Manipur and its proximity to Myanmar, a Zonal-Unit of NCB is required in Imphal.

Unfortunately, only a sub-unit was in Imphal under the NCB Zonal-Unit, Guwahati.

The sub-zonal which is being set up in Imphal is located in the premises ISKON, in a rented house with a monthly rental fee of Rs 15,000 per month.

The unit office in Imphal has no building of its own still today.

An official of NCB Sub-Zonal Unit Imphal, speaking to Hueiyen Lanapao informed that in order to control the use of drugs and apprehend those involved in the drug trafficking in the state it requires sufficient manpower along with well equipped infrastructures.

But contrary to this, the NCB sub zonal unit in Imphal neither has sufficient manpower nor well equipped machineries required for smooth functioning of the office.

The vehicles, both two and four wheelers, are all out of order and the office is using rented vehicles during times of emergency.

The officer further informed that at present staff strength of the NCB sub-zonal unit in Imphal is seven including one Assistant Director, one Superintendent, two Investigation Officers and three staffs.

If at all the Imphal unit is to be upgraded to a Zonal Unit, the staff strength should reach 20 with one Director, one Assistant Director, two Superintendents and 10 Investigation Officers.

The officer also stated that the NCB was established India in the year 1985.At present there are 14 NCB Units in the country.

The NCB Sub-Zonal unit in Imphal was set up in 1991 and after 21 years of its establishment in the state it has been kept as a sub-zonal unit.

However, in Assam where there are hardly any cases of drug related issues, a Zonal NCB unit was set up in 2009 in Guwahati, sidelining Manipur where maximum drug related cases are there and the people suffer from the impacts of drugs.

Considering the need to upgrade the sub-zonal unit of NCB in Imphal to a Zonal Unit, the Home Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam should look into the matter with a serious concern, the officer pleaded.

The drug related problems faced by the people of the state can be overcome if an NCB Unit is set up at Singjon of Churachandpur district and Jessami of Ukhrul district where drug traffickers find it easy to bring in drugs from across the border through Moreh along Ukhrul and Churachandpur, the officer added.

Considering all these, the NCB Unit must be upgraded to a Zonal unit and the Union Home Minister and the State Home Minister should be pressed in this regard.

The Home department should also make it a point to arrest drug traffickers of the state who think only of profit, forgetting the impact of drugs on the youths of the state, who are future pillars of the society, the officer added.

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