Nagaland Police progress report on battle against drug menace

Morung Express news 
Kohima | September 27 

Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma, on Wednesday said that after intensifying the fight against the menace of drugs, decent progress has been made along with co-operation and help from members of public- both individuals and organizations- in sharing information about drug peddlers and users. 

Calling for further public support in the fight, the DGP, while addressing a press conference in Kohima said this is an effort to demolish and stop the supply chain rather than punish drug users and peddlers. 

As per a data provided by the Nagaland Police, the law enforcement agency in the last 3 months registered 133 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, where the total value amounted to about Rs 25 crore. Out of the total cases, 157 persons have been arrested. 

The seized drugs include 139 kgs were ganja, about 28 kgs of opium, 5kgs of heroin, 1 kg of brown sugar 5750 tabs of yaba and 2446 bottles of cough syrup. 

As far as transit and entry points were concerned, Sharma said there were 3 points, 2 direct and 1 indirect entry. The direct transit routes are Myanmar, Manipur to Dimapur and from neighbouring state of Assam. He pointed out that Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, unlike other substances, are small in size which is not carried in high quantities for which public knowledge and awareness was highly important to address the menace. 

43 police personnel penalized for involvement in drug abuse, trafficking 

The DGP also revealed that it has started identifying police personnel who are involved in drug abuse and trafficking.  "Our own mechanism within the police department have been strengthened- where any officer who wants to catch a criminal and have a source- need to take into the confidence his senior officers by informing them for prevention of drug trafficking and the safety of their personnel," he said. 

In each unit of the police, around 30 personnel are involved in tackling the internal drug menace and police personnel who are involved in drug use have been listed. The initiative involves identification of drug abusers, providing them opportunity to opt for rehabilitation and departmental actions are initiated wherever required even extending up to initiation of criminal proceedings, Sharma further added. 

Giving a cumulative report of NDPS cases with involvement of police personnel including pending cases, 43 police personnel have been placed under suspension or penalized according to the gravity of the offence till date.  

Out of this, 23 personnel were given quantum of punishment of the Act, wherein, one was given compulsory retirement, seven dismissed from service, nine awarded stoppage of yearly increment, three with one year increment down, some demoted, among others.  Of the 43 pending departmental cases on NDPS, 23 cases have been disposed and 20 are pending.    

Public urged not to arrest/detain traffickers/conduct checking
A police official, while highlighting the severity of NDPS Act, said that the act is very stringent with punishment ranging up to twenty (20) years and second conviction leading to possibility of death penalty. "Not only the main accused but the person who help and abets them are also liable to be punished with same punishment. This includes financing, transporting, harboring, concealment," the official informed. 

The police official, meanwhile, urged the general public and civil society organizations not to arrest or detain any trafficker without prior information to police. 

"Such arrest or detention can lead to being charged with wrongful confinement or restraint and FIR may be registered against you. Neither police nor civilians or NGOs and CSOs can impose fines on consumers or addicts or traffickers and will be considered extortion," the police official said. 

Instead, the public have been urged to encourage drug addicts to take the benefit of rehabilitation services and join mainstream. The public has also been urged not to involve in vehicle checking and frisking of persons which is illegal.

Launches website/app for public to report on drugs & extortion 
For public to render support, Nagaland police has introduced and launched a website called www.madeinagaland.com for submitting complaints or information for drug abuse while maintaining anonymity of one's identity.

Jointly developed by Blaktronics and Nagaland Police E, the website gives access for the general public or victims to file information and complaint regarding drugs and extortion. The information can be given online without visiting the police station. Provision to contact Nagaland Police by WhatsApp is also available in the app as well as website. 

The DGP also mentioned that law and order situation in the state has been peaceful although there has been instances of accidents in the last few days and few cases of rape has been reported in the state. 

"While the police is trying it's best to do whatever possible to keep law and order in place, we welcome any suggestions for improvement." 

Speaking on extortion, Sharma said this menace has been considerably controlled and police is proactively searching for people involved in extortion.

 In the last three months, 20-24 cases of extortion have been registered. In these regard, the police has taken sou moto investigation wherever reports of extortion is made.