Manipur Governor chairs 10th NCORD meeting to strengthen anti-drug efforts

Imphal: The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, chaired the 10th State-Level meeting of the NCORD, a mechanism established by the Government of India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to coordinate between various Central and State stakeholders on matters related to drug law enforcement and the prevention of drug trafficking and abuse in India.

A Raj Bhavan communique stated on Tuesday that the meeting took place at the Conference Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal, on Monday night.

The Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Manipur, 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, drawing from detailed presentations by the Police, NAB, and line departments.

The Governor stressed the need for close coordination among all law enforcement and security agencies to dismantle trafficking networks, strengthen border surveillance, and intensify intelligence-led operations across vulnerable districts and transit routes.

The Governor instructed the departments 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.

Officials highlighted upgrading treatment and rehabilitation services, expanding community-based awareness programmes, and strengthening district-level NCORD mechanisms as essential components of a comprehensive, long-term strategy.