Bhalla delves on tentacles of drug trafficking

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 17: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the 10th State level NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meeting held at the Conference Hall of Raj Bhavan here today.
The Chief Secretary, the DGP, senior officers and representatives of law enforcement and security agencies attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the scale and emerging trends of narcotics trafficking, illicit poppy and cannabis cultivation, and drug abuse in Manipur.
The Governor stressed on the need for close coordination among all law enforce- ment and security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks, strengthen border surveillance, and intensify intelligence-led operations across vulnerable districts and transit routes.
Departments were instructed to accelerate the destruction of illicit plantations, improve prosecution and conviction rates, and integrate supply-reduction and demand-reduction strategies at every level.
The meeting also decided to examine the use of state-of-the-art technologies including scanners, surveillance systems, and other detection equipment, to curb the movement of narcotics.
Upgrading treatment and rehabilitation services, expanding community-based awareness programmes, and strengthening district-level NCORD mechanisms were highlighted as essential components of a comprehensive, long-term strategy.
The Governor  who is the Chairman of the Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) also chaired the annual meeting of the Executive Board as well as the general council meeting of the Akademi held today at Raj Bhavan. The meeting observed one minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed artists and performers of the State.
Various agenda relating to the administration and development of MSKA were thoroughly discussed. The meeting discussed initiatives aimed at promoting art, culture, and literature not only within Manipur but also across India and to international audiences. Key decisions relating to selection and distribution of Akademi’s annual awards were taken during the meeting. Commissioner (Home), Commissioner (Art & Culture), Secretary to Governor and Secretary MSKA attended the meeting along with other board members.