In a significant move to combat the escalating drug menace in India's northeastern region, a crucial two-day regional conference of anti-narcotics task force heads commenced at the Chumoukedima police complex in Dimapur on Thursday.
High-Level Gathering Against Drug Menace
The conference, jointly organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Nagaland government, brings together participants from various central and state law enforcement agencies, intelligence units, and security forces. The primary objective is to strengthen coordination and develop effective strategies to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse across the northeastern states and West Bengal.
Nagaland Director General of Police Rupin Sharma delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that drug trafficking and consumption have evolved beyond mere law and order issues. "Drug abuse now poses a direct threat to our internal security and the future of our youth," Sharma declared during his speech.
Geographical Vulnerabilities and Alarming Statistics
The senior police official highlighted the region's geographical vulnerabilities, particularly the 1,643-kilometer porous border with Myanmar, combined with challenging terrains and the ongoing governance turmoil in the neighboring country. The proximity to the notorious Golden Triangle (Myanmar-Laos-Thailand) makes northeastern states, including Nagaland, particularly vulnerable to drug trafficking networks.
Sharma revealed alarming statistics, stating that Nagaland alone has an estimated 120,000 drug users who consume heroin, locally known as 'shaanflower' or 'SF' due to its traditional origins in Myanmar's Shaan province.
The DGP warned that drugs and drug money flowing through these routes fuel the nexus of organized crime, insurgency, and narco-terrorism. "Dismantling the drug cartels is synonymous with enhancing national security," he asserted.
Three-Pillar Strategy and Coordinated Approach
Sharma proposed three key pillars for the conference's framework: coordination, enforcement, and accountability. He stressed that effective coordination among agencies, various pillars of the criminal justice system, and between law enforcement and civilian government wings with the public is crucial to fighting the drug menace effectively.
NCB Director General Anurag Garg, in his address, emphasized the significance of coordinated efforts among northeastern states to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and intelligence sharing. He cited a 2019 survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that showed higher rates of drug abuse in northeastern states compared to other regions of the country.
R Sudhakar, Deputy Director General (NER) of NCB, emphasized the need for constructive discussions to formulate effective strategies and create a comprehensive roadmap to tackle the drug problem in the Northeast. The conference is viewed as a critical opportunity for states to unite in this common cause against narcotics.
The regional anti-narcotics summit represents a renewed commitment from law enforcement agencies to address the complex challenges of drug trafficking in one of India's most vulnerable regions, where geographical and political factors have long complicated anti-drug efforts.
