IMPHAL, Nov 18: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the 10th State-Level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting on Monday at Raj Bhavan, focusing on strengthening the state’s multi-agency response to drug trafficking and abuse.
The meeting, attended by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and representatives from various departments and security agencies, reviewed recent trends in narcotics trafficking, illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation, and rising drug abuse in vulnerable areas.
Presentations by Manipur Police, Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB), and other line departments highlighted the evolving challenges posed by drug syndicates. Governor Bhalla stressed the need for seamless inter-agency coordination to disrupt trafficking networks within and beyond Manipur.
He called for intensified intelligence-driven operations, enhanced border surveillance, and swift destruction of illegal plantations. The Governor also urged the adoption of advanced technologies like scanners and surveillance tools to curtail the movement of illegal drugs.
Emphasising a balanced approach, the meeting underscored the importance of both supply and demand reduction. Upgrading de-addiction facilities, expanding community-based awareness programs, and strengthening district-level NCORD mechanisms were identified as key to combating the drug menace in the long term.
