NMDA announces closure of medicine shops from March 29

Dimapur: The Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) on Tuesday announced that all medical dealers under the association would close their shops from March 29 as a sign of protest against the alleged “unlawful arrest” of its member.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NMDA stated that a member was arrested on March 27 under The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, “in violation of the procedure prescribed by law”.

‘We state that the manufacture, sale or distribution of drugs and/or cosmetics in Nagaland is regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Notifications from the Health and Family Welfare department, Nagaland, issued clear terms and conditions in relation to the purchase and sale of all restricted pharmaceutical products by wholesalers and retailers within the state of Nagaland. The said notification clearly states that all actions for violation of the same are to be taken under the provisions of the Act of 1940 along with the rules made there under. Furthermore, it states that all raids and seizures are to be done only by, or in the presence of the Drug Control Authority and not otherwise.

‘We strongly urge the law enforcement authorities to follow the procedure under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, lest innocent members of society be arrested under the draconian provisions of the Act of 1985,’ read the statement.

Therefore, the association adopted the resolution to protest against the incident in a general meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, joint secretary of NMDA, Arijit Sharma said the shops would remain closed until their demands are met. However, he did not specify the number of days of the closure.

Sharma added that the association would lift the order as soon as the concerned authority addresses its demands.

Meanwhile, it urged the All India Organisation of Chemist and Druggist and its Northeast office to look into the matter. It also called upon the Indian Medical Association, DCCI, Chamber of Commerce Chumoukedima, Naga Council Dimapur, the Nagaland Pharmacist Council and all members of the medical fraternity to speak out against the “unlawful detention” of its member.

NMDA demanded strict action be taken against the persons who initiated the action in violation of procedure prescribed by law.

“We condemn the callous misuse of the law enforcement mechanism, to the detriment of the public. The NMDA is also strictly against the misuse of any restricted drugs by its members and does not condone indulgence in such activity. However, rash actions taken against citizens only results in the inhumane abuse of their human rights. We strongly remind the law enforcement agencies that procedure is the handmaiden of justice and urge the implementing agencies not to misuse their powers,” it added.