Lyngdoh criticizes vigilante drug seizures by HYC, urges lawful action

Shillong, Oct 18: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh has raised concerns about the escalating drug trade in Meghalaya, attributing the issue to the ongoing unrest in Manipur, which has caused a shift in drug trafficking routes to the state.

“We are committed to eradicating the drug menace. However, due to Meghalaya’s strategic location near the Golden Triangle and the unrest in Manipur, the drug trade has moved into our region, posing a significant challenge,” Lyngdoh stated.

The Minister further mentioned that he would be visiting New Delhi soon to ensure that central government leaders are fully informed about the severity of the drug trafficking situation in Meghalaya.

When asked about the alertness of law enforcement agencies, Lyngdoh confirmed that the Director General of Police (DGP) and other authorities are aware of the situation. “This is why we are strengthening the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). We also plan to have a retired IPS officer as the Mission Director of our anti-drug campaign – Dream Mission. We are taking several measures to first reduce and then completely eradicate the problem,” he explained.

The Minister highlighted the proactive steps being taken, which may not yet be visible to the public. One such effort is the formation of Village Defence Parties (VDPs), aimed at enhancing local vigilance. Currently, there are only 11 legally constituted VDPs in the state, and many high-risk areas lack this crucial backup, often leaving them vulnerable.

“Without VDPs, there’s no legal support, and people often get frustrated having to appear in court repeatedly. This will improve once we have more VDPs, as they operate within a legal framework in collaboration with the police,” he said.

Addressing concerns about pressure groups like the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) taking action against the drug menace, Lyngdoh emphasized that while their intentions may be good, such actions must be lawful. “The President of HYC has a legal background, so he should know the boundaries of the law. Grabbing headlines by seizing and burning drugs may draw attention, but these actions don’t hold up in court and can be self-defeating,” he cautioned.

He clarified that under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, anyone in possession of seized drugs is liable to explain their custody. “The law is very clear, which is why we are working to expand the scope of our operations while staying within legal boundaries,” he noted.

He also emphasized that for the first time, the Social Welfare Department has taken a direct role in the fight against drug trafficking, complementing the police department’s efforts. Lyngdoh highlighted the Dream Mission, spearheaded by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, as a sign of the government’s serious approach to tackling the issue. “We want to ensure that all our actions are legally protected, so that we are on the right side of the law,” he concluded.

Read: Assam: Former AASU president of Dibrugarh missing from his home, suspected to join ULFA-I

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