Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 1 (EMN): Two-day regional conference on “Developing a Comprehensive Approach: combating illicit trafficking of Afghan opiates and drug situation in the Northeast,” organised by the United Nations on Drugs and Crime Regional Office, South Asia (UNODC-ROSA) in association with the Government of Manipur was held in Imphal.
Speaking at the concluding programme on Tuesday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed the need for an effective collaboration and co-operation between agencies, communities and countries towards the shared objective of a drug free society for generations to come.
Manipur as the gateway of India to South-East Asia has been dealing with the issues of illegal drug trafficking and related problems for decades, he said.
Since the past two years and a half, the state government has been making continuous efforts in dealing with drug menace, he said adding that about 4,897 acres of poppy cultivation had been destroyed besides seizing about 478 kg of opium and about 367 kg of opium derivatives like heroin since 2017.
The agencies also seized about 9 million WY tablets and other banned substances, he added.
The conference which was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and representative from eight Northeast states, recommended establishment of a formal mechanism to foster greater interaction between law enforcement agencies of member countries and law enforcement agencies in North-eastern states. It also recommended to strengthen alternative development and promoting livelihood opportunities to curb illicit cultivation of opium and cannabis in Northeast.
The conference was inaugurated by the state Governor Dr. najma Heptulla on Monday.
Professor Dr. Atul Ambekar of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS and Deputy Director General B Radhika of Narcotics Control Bureau gave an overview of the drug situation in India.
