Newmai News Network
Shillong, June 7: Over 60 dorbar shnongs of greater Shillong have unanimously agreed to constitute village defence parties (VDPs) to assist the government in the fight against the drug menace in Meghalaya.
The dorbar shnongs have also been asked to submit their suggestions on the proposed amendment to The Meghalaya Village Defence Organisation Rules, 2008 within three weeks to one month’s time.
The decision was taken at a consultative meeting chaired by Social Welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh on anti-drug initiatives and the constitution of the VDPs with the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of District Councils (MDCs) and the dorbar shnongs of the greater Shillong area at the State Convention Centre, Shillong here on Friday.
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Addressing the media, Lyngdoh said, “The first initiative that the various stakeholders have agreed upon is the reconstitution of VDP, which has been active in combating crimes, especially in rural areas but in the context of controlling drugs menace and the spread of narcotics, today we have decided that various dorbar shnongs would prepare themselves to constitute these VDPs.”
“To begin with we have to start by revisiting the various rules that were last framed in 2008, so it has been a long time gapand we would certainly need to update those rules in view of growing and changing challenges. So we have clearly taken the inputs from the dorbars and indicated a timeline of 3 weeks to a month within which they will submit the various proposals for the amendment of the rules,” he added.
Lyngdoh said once those amendments are agreed upon, the various dorbar shnongs will start organising the VDPs, whichwill assist the home police and also the government in combating the drug menace at the locality and grassroots level.
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The minister said, “We will be revisiting those rules. We will ensure these VDPs become the foot soldiers of the law enforcing agencies and together they will assist us in identifying especially in hotspots potential drug traffickers and with their support, we should be able to eradicate the menace from Meghalaya.”
“We will be receiving suggestions from the dorbar shnongs and we will then familiarise them with the basic amenities, facilities and training that is required. We will also familiarise them with the basic rules that govern the function of VDPsand also the laws of the land that govern the control and reduction of drugs and narcotics,” he added.
He said that the whole purpose of the meeting is to have enough manpower starting at the locality level to assist the police in trying to combat the drug menace and that will happen only with the support of the community.
“I have been advocating a community-oriented approach and today the participation of so many dorbar shnongs is proof that they have faith in what we are trying to achieve and I am very happy with the outcome of the meeting,” Lyngdoh stated.
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Further, the minister informed that it was also decided that copies of the latest laws and rules like the PITNDPS will be circulated to the dorbar shnongs for their views, opinions and suggestions on improving those rules.
“We have also decided that elected representatives, MLAs and MDCs of the entire state beginning with this exercise which we started today will be covered in a consultation process because we would like the convergence mode to ensure the success of the DREAM project,” he added.
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