BOMDILA, 21 Sep: West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar urged villagers to refrain from cultivating cannabis, warning that strict action would be taken against those found involved in cultivation of the drug plant under the NDPS Act.
Addressing a district-level NCORD meeting here on Monday, the DC said that the government is seriously concerned about the rising number of NDPS-related cases in the region, particularly increasing incidence of cannabis cultivation in the Kalaktang area.
Expressing concern over the possible involvement of external elements in the illegal cannabis trade, the DC said that if it is not addressed seriously, it could pose a significant threat to the region, the state, and the whole nation. He appealed to all stakeholders to work collectively towards eliminating the menace.
The DC directed the Kalaktang ADC and the Balemu AC to convene coordination meetings with villagers, PRI leaders, GBs, and other stakeholders to identify linkages associated with cannabis cultivation and trafficking.
He instructed authorities concerned to identify landowners who are permitting the cultivation of cannabis on their land.
Dr Kumar urged the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Central Bureau of Narcotics to organise a cannabis destruction drive in West Kameng. The DC cautioned that GBs who fail to cooperate in the drive against illegal cultivation would face appropriate action as per the prescribed rules.
NCORD nodal officer S Wangmu Mosabi presented a brief on the initiatives undertaken so far to curb drug abuse in the district.
West Kameng SP Dr Dorjee Wangdi Thongon and representatives from various stakeholder departments and agencies, including SIB, SSB, Police, Health Department, NCB, and others also shared their observations and feedback.
Officer-in-Charge (Crime) Gagam Aje highlighted various measures taken by the district police to control the drug menace, and presented data related to NDPS Act cases registered in West Kameng.
The meeting concluded with the observance of the 6th year of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, reaffirming the district administration's commitment to building a drug-free society. (DIPRO)