Shillong, Nov 6: Meghalaya government has decided to intensify its efforts to combat the menace of drug trafficking by have a dedicated Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF).

Currently, Meghalaya police already have an Anti-Narcotic Task Force, but the government is planning to have a dedicated ANTF unit solely focusing on anti-narcotics operations.

This was informed by the social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh after holding a meeting with a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) here on Tuesday.

Addressing media persons, Lyngdoh informed that the issues including the ones raised by the particular NGO and other civil society organizations will be taken up in the upcoming meeting of the Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) to be chaired by the deputy chief minister incharge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on November 14.

He said that the meeting would discuss strategies which are of a short term basis, there are those which are medium and there are those which are for long term basis.

Stating that the government is committed to containing and eradicating the menace of drug trafficking, the minister said that the importance of the meeting on November 14 is that there will be a fresh look at the strategy of tackling the problem.

Lyngdoh announced that the government has decided to make the ANTF, a dedicated police force for fighting against the drug menace on a war footing.

“There will be more focus on policing and the need to strengthen the ANTF. We will also be focusing and working out on making the ANTF a dedicated police force, which will not be tightened down by normal policing activities, which is what is happening as of date,” he said.

On the NGO expressing apprehension on some sort of a nexus, the minister said, “The proposal to delink the ANTF from general policing is because we would like minimize the possibility of such a phenomenon where the integrity of the police force will be suspected and there is a resultant trust deficit that can only be addressed when you have a small dedicated team that will only be focused on tackling drug menace/trafficking.”

“Let’s not jump the gun, let’s wait for November 14 but I am giving you clear indication that we will delink – the move would be to delink the ANTF from the other duties performed by the state police,” he added.

The HYC had submitted a memorandum to the minister, which highlighted the need for treatment and rehabilitation facilities, the need to increase spaces and number of such centres, free detoxification, OST and day care centres, establishment of fast track courts/special courts, investigation and prosecution of cases under NDPS Act, prevention of illicit trafficking that is PITNDPS Act, 1988, strengthening the drug supply reduction strategy and establishment of the office of narcotic control board (NCB) in Shillong.

Terming the meeting as very cordial and positive, Lyngdoh said, “I took the opportunity to explain to the NGO leaders that first and foremost the state government has notified a new mission director of DREAM, which is FG Kharshiing, retired IPS officer. In view of his vast experience in policing, we have zeroed in on his name and he will assume charge on November 7.”

“Apart from that, I have also had a detailed meeting with the deputy chief minister incharge home (police) Prestone Tynsong yesterday because as you are aware, the issue of drug menace crosses many departments. It is interlinked with home (police), social welfare, health, law and so on and so forth,” he added.

Further, Lyngdoh said the other areas of concern, where the deaddiction centres/rehabilitation centres are concerned, government has made it very clear that “we are keen to have more such centres but we need the local community to come forward”.

“One major component, which is not admissible as per the central ministries’ guidelines, is allotment of land. There is no provision for purchase of land, which is why we require local communities to come forward and donate land in exchange we are ready to increase more such centres,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister would also meet central ministers’ incharge of various ministries in New Delhi on November 17 and 18.

“There are five ministries, which are linked to this department of social welfare. I will be calling on the ministers concerned on November 17 and 18,” he said.

On demand for setting up of the NCB in Shillong, Lyngdoh said that the matter is more of a long term strategy.

“It needs the consent of the ministry at the centre and we will pursue the matter but a more detailed discussion on the subject will happen on November 14, when we meet as a dream mission,” he assured.

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