Shillong: West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, is facing a troubling rise in drug trafficking, a fact confirmed by the government during the recent budget session. Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh indicated that the region’s strategic location makes it a prime transit point for drug peddlers operating from neighbouring states and Bangladesh. The geographical makeup, facilitating movement via the Brahmaputra River to Assam and West Bengal, exacerbates the issue.
Despite the acknowledged increase in drug-related activities, official records paint a starkly different picture. The government disclosed that only one drug-related case has been registered in the district in recent months. This single case, documented in Tillapara Bongarpar under Tikrikilla police jurisdiction, raises serious concerns about the efficacy of law enforcement efforts. The limited number of arrests and seizures fuels public scepticism regarding the government’s ability to combat the escalating drug menace.
The government has stated that an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is operational in the district. However, the lack of substantial evidence of its impact, such as significant arrests or seizures, casts doubt on its effectiveness. For those grappling with addiction, the Tura Civil Hospital Addiction Treatment Facility, supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, remains the sole rehabilitation option.
Adding to the residents’ woes, West Garo Hills is also grappling with persistent power outages. Power Minister AT Mondal attributed these disruptions to a range of factors, including scheduled maintenance, transformer failures, and damage inflicted by natural calamities like flash floods and cyclones. The ageing power infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, is struggling to cope with the demands placed upon it.
The government has outlined ongoing efforts to modernize the power grid, including upgrades to 33/11KV substations and transmission lines through various schemes. However, residents continue to experience frequent blackouts, indicating that these improvements are yet to yield substantial results. While acknowledging technical issues like faulty transformers and transmission lines, the Power Minister assured that measures are being taken to prevent future occurrences, including system upgrades and manpower reinforcement. No specific timelines were provided for these improvements.
Residents affected by the power disruptions have been directed to utilize the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum in Tura, engage with MePDCL field officers, or lodge complaints via the CM-Connect portal and helpline.
Read More: Nagaland Government Calls for Dialogue Amid Student Protest Over Engineering Degree Dispute