Kangpokpi: The District Administration, led by District Collector and NCORD Chairperson, Hemant Kumar IAS, today convened a review meeting to evaluate the district’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The session focused on fortifying inter-agency coordination to effectively curb the inflow of illicit substances and address the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, with the Chairperson and Deputy Commissioner, Mahesh Chaudhari, IAS, requesting concerned officials to create area-specific WhatsApp groups comprising the District Police, Central Forces, and SDOs to ensure seamless communication and real-time response. He reviewed comprehensive action plans, emphasizing that this is the crucial time to eradicate and contain illegal poppy cultivation before the harvesting season. The Chairman directed the concerned SDOs, OCs, and Central Forces to identify and map out areas where these illegal activities are taking place to prevent harvesting. Furthermore, he ordered that a warning circular be disseminated among Village Chiefs and Village Councils, sternly warning that they will be held directly responsible if any illicit cultivation occurs on land falling under their jurisdiction.
Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, IPS, shared security insights and outlined NCB schemes providing funding for alternative farming. The SDOs were instructed to work alongside OCs to identify and furnish details of villagers willing to adopt alternative livelihoods through NCB funding. Additionally, the Chairman instructed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to share details of pharmaceutical shops, clamp down on unlicensed outlets, and strictly enforce mandatory CCTV camera installations. Following inputs from the SDOs, CMO, BSF, and CRPF regarding operational needs, the DC assured the matters would be addressed. The Chairman requested the SP and concerned officials to inspect large consignments of urea brought into the district, while directing Agriculture officials to submit detailed reports on the total quantity of urea handed over to the district.
