Surrender or face consequences: Biren to drug peddlers

Imphal: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Friday warned drug peddlers and dealers operating in the state to either surrender or face the consequences of the stringent action which will be taken against them.
Addressing a media conference at his office complex, Biren said any person arrested with illegal drugs, regardless of quantity, would face compulsory jail term of one year which will be extendable up to two years under relevant acts.However, use of drugs for treatment of addicts at rehabilitation centres under the supervision of doctors, would be exempted.
The drug menace in the state is still alarming although the police had seized many illegal drugs during the last five years under the War on Drugs-I campaign. As such, his government will be putting much effort to totally root out the drug menace from the state under War on Drugs-II, added Biren.
The state government had recently re-constituted the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) led by IGP, zone-III, Nishit Kumar Ujjwal, which had started functioning. The ANTF will not bow to any pressure from any person or group and work sincerely, according to law, with the objective to root out drug menace in the next two years.
The state police should make legal authorities aware of the drugs-related situation in the state and also provide protections to judges and lawyers from any undue influence.
The DGP has been told to open outposts with 5 to 10 police personnel in every village, where drugs trafficking is rampant and the ANTF had also been empowered to procure necessary vehicles and other equipment, added the CM.
Drone surveys will be conducted to locate all the poppy plantation areas, and Assam Rifles and Central Narcotics Force will also be deployed in addition to the state police to root out poppy plantations.
Union home minister Amit Shah had also expressed a positive note to provide the personnel for the same, he said.