Reward for a good job done and punishing defaulters of law is what the present government says Manipur chief minister, N. Biren Singh while rewarding 59 anti-drug police personnel who were successful in cracking down on the illicit drug trafficking and recovered drugs worth over Rs 37 crores.  Each of the 59 personnel was given the chief minister commendation medal along with a share from the total cash incentive prize of Rs 10 crores.

Biren said his government will win the fight against drugs in Manipur as the people is with the government. “Earlier there were places where law enforcing agencies couldn’t enter. Now the people are becoming our partner in fighting the drug trade in the state. They now alert the police of the nefarious activities and helping in arresting the culprits,” said the chief minister.

Biren further revealed that the government had conducted surveys in different areas and found out the reasons why people are depending on drugs business for their livelihood. The survey data indicate that there are around 2,500 families who are forced to be part of the drug business so that they can take care of their ailing family members.

While giving credit of the drug seizure to the public who tipoff the police of illicit activities, Biren appealed to the civil society organisations and the police department to perform their duties with utmost sincerely and without biased.

Director General of police of the state, L.M Khaute said that the state had been fighting with the  menace of drugs since the last four decades. The Narcotics Affairs and Borders was founded in 1984 headed by an inspector. This was upgraded on 1985 and headed by Superintendent of Police and drug cells set up in all police stations in all the districts of the state.

The DGP lamented that while the Myanmar has been the epicenter of drugs, there are no adequate police stations along the Indo Myanmar borders and there is total lack of intelligence on drug activities of the neighbouring countries. Khaute added that a proposal had been submitted to the government to increase police stations along the border.

Superintendent of Police Narcotic and Affairs of Border (NAB), W. Basu while speaking to reporters on the side of the function expressed his gratitude to the state government and also said that the function as the first of its kind will push up the moral of the police department to perform better.

Additional superintendent of police NAB, Thounaojam Brinda also told reporters that the award is great encouragement from the side of the government and she dedicated the success to the whole team behind the drug seizure.