Northeast Desk, 6th June: The State Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Home (Police) Department and the East Khasi Hills District Administration, will convene a crucial consultative meeting with MLAs, MDCs, and Dorbar Shnongs (Traditional Institutions) of the Greater Shillong Area on June 7. The meeting, scheduled for 2 pm at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, is part of the Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM), which was launched in June 2023 with the aim of building a “Drug Free Meghalaya.”
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh has underscored the importance of this meeting, urging the Dorbar Shnongs of Greater Shillong to actively participate and support the collective effort to combat substance abuse. The consultative session aims to identify gaps in the current system and enhance collaboration with community groups, such as the Village Defence Parties (VDPs), which play a crucial role in maintaining law and order and preventing drug-related crimes.
Under the Meghalaya Village Defence Organisation Rules 2008, VDPs assist the police in various law enforcement activities. DREAM plans to revamp and reorganize VDPs across the state, focusing particularly on drug and substance use hotspots, including Shillong. The initiative aims to build a robust, well-trained network of VDPs equipped with the necessary resources to effectively combat drug abuse and trafficking.
The comprehensive plan includes training VDPs in drug detection and prevention, ensuring regular coordination with police and health services, and fostering strong community engagement through Social & Behavioural Change Campaigns and awareness programs. By empowering VDPs, the initiative seeks to create a vigilant, proactive community defense mechanism that contributes to a drug-free Meghalaya.
The meeting will be attended by key figures such as Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner Sampath Kumar, IAS, Secretary Israel W. Ingty, IAS, Special Superintendent of Police (CID)-Shillong Vivek Syiem, IPS, representatives from Madanryting Village Defence Parties, and other MLAs, MDCs, and Dorbar Shnongs of the Greater Shillong area.
With Meghalaya’s success rate in combating the drug menace rising to 20 percent, largely due to support from traditional institutions and NGOs, this consultative meeting aims to further strengthen the state’s efforts in creating a safer and drug-free environment.
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