Government re-constitutes ANTF
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 23 2023:
In pursuance of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) communication on September 19 regarding ground verification and destruction operations in connection with illicit opium poppy cultivation in Manipur, the state government has re-constituted Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) with an objective of bringing together stakeholders concerned on a single platform for effective co-ordination and implementation of War on Drug-2.0 and anti-drug campaign activities with immediate effect.
In an order issued on Saturday, joint secretary (Home) Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh specified that the new ANTF comprises IGP (Intelligence/NAB) as head of the task force; IGP (Zone-III), IGP (Cyber Crime), ICAR director, principal chief conservator of forests, joint secretary (Home), DCs/SPs of districts concerned, TA&H director, Social Welfare director, Horticulture director, MARSAC director, Forensic Science director, additional district magistrates (ADMs) of Imphal West & East, Cyber Corporation (IT) representative and two government advocates as members; SP (NAB) as convener-1 & secretarial support and NCB, Manipur head as convener-2 .
Any other appropriate officer as deem fit may be co-opted in the ANTF as member/special invitee, if his/her service is required for effective implementation of the above Task Force.
The ordered also directed that the ANTF will immediately start ground verification of data provided by the NCB, in close guidance of the NCB and under supervision of district SP (NAB) by drafting smaller teams for the purpose.
CAPFs and other security forces will also be used effectively for this purpose.
The destruction operations will also be planned carefully by the ANTF and implemented by forming smaller teams.
The ground teams will also work under close guidance of NCB and will use 'MAPDRUGS' (Android Mobile Application) during ground survey/verification/destruct ion operations and also feed/update ground data so that accurate data can be captured in the database for record and necessary action in future, it directed.
The order further reiterated that the newly reconstituted ANTF will start functioning with immediate effect and will submit weekly progress report to the government.