IMPHAL, June 29: The Narcotics Affairs of Border (NAB), Manipur of Manipur Police Department which was set up 29 years ago “To combat and check the drug menace in Manipur” on January 27, 1984 but continues to function with major shortages.
NAB as a special cell of Narcotics was set up under Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Manipur Police Department. As per order No. 13 (1)/29/83-H issued by Manipur Home Department on January 27, 1984, NAB was set up under an officer of the rank of Inspector and was supervised by a special officer (Intelligence).
But as per order No. 2/10/78(MPS)/DP issued by the government of Manipur on October 26, 1985, the special cell was converted to Superintendent of Police with the duties and responsibilities related to narcotics drug matters, arms smuggling activities and infiltration of foreigners.
Even as the workload and activities of the NAB continued to expand on a daily basis, the Home Department, Manipur government on July 9, 1987 issued an order No. 9/12(19)87-H declaring the office of the Superintendent of Police (Border Affairs) as a Police Station with its territorial jurisdiction covering the whole area of Manipur and all the matters of narcotic drug which should be dealt under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
However, what is most surprising with NAB is that even though a convey order No 9/12 (19) 87-H ordering to designate a Superintendent of Police as the SP/NAB to lead the NAB, Manipur police on February 4, the concerned Ministry of the government of India has not officially sanctioned the post of Superintendent of Police, narcotic and affairs of border yet to date, which is very much discouraging for officials of this special cell of Manipur police department.
The existing sanctioned strength of SP/NAB is Superintendent of Police – one, Inspector – one, Sub Inspector – four, Assistant Sub Inspector – five, Head Constable – four, Police Constable – forty one and constable driver – three making a total of 59.
There are only two ASI as of now even though the sanctioned strength is five.
Technically, the whole office of SP/NAB is a police station and its De-jure officer-in-charge is said to be Superintendent of Police. But now the cell is practically divided into the office of the SP/NAB and police station under the direct supervision of the SP/NAB.
Besides, as per order No. 4/2 (8) 88-II, the Manipur government declared Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) as its nodal officer on May 22, 1989.
13 separate cases have been registered and taken up as achievements of SP/NAB in 2012. In connection with the cases, fourteen persons were arrested and the items seized from them are 40 gms of heroin, 891 kg of ganja, 1kg and 500 gm of opium and 14, 800 actiman tablet strips worth Rs. 8, 15, 000, brokuf-T, 20 kg and 500gm of Brokuf-T tablet and 20 kg and 814 gm of Brokuf-c tablet.
On the other hand, the budget of SP/NAB which is one of the most important unit of the Manipur police department for the financial year 2011-2012 is only Rs 1,02,18,000. It has led to shortages of sanctioned strength, vehicles and infrastructures.
(All the data in the report was tabled on the floor of the House during the ongoing session of Manipur Legislative Assembly and based on annual administrative report of the Manipur police department, 2012-2013).