IMPHAL, July 21: Any person who produce, sell, purchase, transport, store or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance is committing an illegal action which is punishable and can even be given death sentence under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act 1985 said DB Goswami, Advocate, Supreme Court of India.
The Advocate was speaking during the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 sensitization workshop for Police Officers, Imphal East and West organized by Manipur State Legal Service Authority in collaboration with Community Network for Empowerment, Manipur State AIDS Control Society and Centre for Advocacy and Research today at Hotel Nirmala.
He further said that no person can be released on a bail without proper analysis on the evidence and the statements given.
Nolinikanta, President CoNE on the sidelines of the workshop expressed that there is need to understand NDPS act.
He alleged that the NDPS act which has been implemented by the government has been obstructed by some other government department which shows failure of the act and the example is seen in the release of related persons through bail to the accused who are involved in drug case of Pallel.
KT Vaiphei IPS, IGP said there is need of awareness program about NDPS for the police department and how to treat those who are undergoing treatment for drug dependence.
A volunteer who is undergoing treatment for drug dependence said that the attitude of the public and police towards who use drugs and those undergoing treatment is very dangerous. He narrated how he was detained by the police personnel’s at Sanjenthong for carrying Naloxone, a medicine for overdose treatment and syringes and demanded money for his release.
Another volunteer said he was arrested on the way to Sora Bazaar by personnel of Kakching police station and said that he was forced to confess that he caught with drugs in the presence of media.
