Enforcement drive conducted in Tamenglong
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Tamenglong, March 24 2025: In a significant move towards combating substance abuse and ensuring safety of public health, an enforcement drive was conducted on Monday at Tamenglong district headquarters as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

The drive organised by the district administration in collaboration With the District Health, Education and Social Welfare departments aims to reinforce regulations concerning pharmacies and tobacco sales in the district.

The enforcement team led by MO and National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) nodal officer Dr Namjubou Daimai along with Tamenglong police station OC in-charge L Simon, PA to DC Eleazer Kaongam, and representatives of Tamenglong ZEO undertook a thorough inspection of local pharmacies.

Enforcement drive conducted in Tamenglong

Out of 32 pharmacies inspected, only one was found equipped with CCTV system while merely three pharmacies had valid operating certificates.

Pharmacy owners expressed their frustration to the enforcement team citing that their license renewal had been declined at the state level.

Dr Daimai emphasised the importance of adhering to legal standards particularly regarding the sale of medication stating that pharmacists must not sell them to minors and H schedule drugs including sedatives and antibiotics should only be dispensed with a valid doctor's prescription.

The enforcement team also noted that local physicians sometimes prescribe medications with significant side effects, thereby underscoring the need for stricter adherence to prescription protocols.

The pharmacists were told to install CCTV systems and renew their licenses promptly to avoid potential legal repercussions.

In addition to inspection of the pharmacies, the team also monitored shops located within a radius of 100 metres of educational institutions.

Several violations were identified including the sale of Gutkha and other tobacco products leading to confiscation of the banned items by the officer in-charge.

Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, the sale of tobacco products in proximity to schools is strictly prohibited.

Shopkeepers were reminded to display signage indicating their premises as 'Tobacco Free Zones' .

The enforcement drive from Medical gate to Council junction in Tamenglong district headquarters and district hospital, Duigailong covered key areas frequented by the public.