Representatives of the Konyak CSOs along with DGP, Nagaland and senior officer at PHQ, Kohima.
Dimapur, September 11 (MExN): The Konyak civil society organisations and the Nagaland Police have agreed in principle to work jointly to combat the growing drug menace in Mon district and beyond, with a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to be signed shortly.
The decision was taken during a consultation meeting convened by Director General of Police Rupin Sharma at the Police Headquarters here on September 10, which lasted over three hours and was attended by senior IPS officers, including Renchamo P Kikon and ADG (Adm) Sundeep M Tamgadge, along with representatives of the Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) and Konyak Students' Union (KSU).
The meeting discussed the prevailing law and order situation in Mon district, the increasing influx of drug users and peddlers, and the emerging concern over the district being used as a transit route and centre for illicit drugs, stated a press release issued by Kaibo Konyak, Press & Media Secretary, Konyak Union, HQ Mon.
During the consultation, the Konyak CSOs strongly emphasised that the drug menace was no longer merely a law-and-order concern but had become a serious social threat, particularly to the younger generation. They stressed the need for stronger enforcement, better intelligence coordination, preventive measures, rehabilitation and sustained community participation to address the issue before it is too late.
The Union has been working to revive and carry forward the Konyak Union Declaration on War Against Drugs, launched on September 4, 2019. However, as a non-governmental organisation with no regular source of income, it has submitted numerous proposals to concerned departments and agencies seeking financial assistance, but the response has been discouraging. Despite these challenges, the Union has renewed its commitment to the cause and taken the initiative to work in close collaboration with the Nagaland Police.
One of the major issues discussed was the need to strengthen the District-Level Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD) so that all concerned departments and stakeholders can work in a coordinated and accountable manner. The meeting also emphasised strengthening coordination between the district administration, Nagaland Police, Village Guards, Mon District Bar Association, churches, students' organisations, civil society organisations and the general public.
As a significant outcome, it was agreed in principle that the Konyak CSOs and the Nagaland Police will work jointly and in close coordination to combat and control the drug menace across and beyond Mon district. A structured operational mechanism and clear modalities for this joint initiative are expected to be formalised shortly through an MoU between the Konyak Civil Society Organisations and the PHQ, Kohima, it stated.
The DGP shared that tackling the drug menace requires not only strict enforcement but also a collective and sustained effort involving the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, churches, parents, educational institutions and the community at large.
The Konyak CSOs assured their commitment to extend fullest cooperation to the Nagaland Police and the government in protecting the younger generation and ensuring a safer and healthier society.
The Konyak Union further appealed to the public to remain vigilant, reject the use and trafficking of illegal drugs, and extend cooperation to law enforcement agencies by sharing credible information. It said the war against drugs must be a collective responsibility, and the Union is determined to contribute meaningfully towards making Mon district free from the growing menace of drugs.
