New Delhi, January 10 (HS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a regional conference on drug trafficking and national security here on Saturday. Organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the conference aims to focus on tackling the growing problem of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, especially in the eight states and union territories of the North region.

The Home Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the Home Minister will launch the Drug Destruction Fortnight, inaugurate the new office complex of the Bhopal Zonal Unit of the NCB and launch the expansion of the Manas-2 helpline to all states and union territories.

The conference will discuss sharing of real-time information from the National Narcotics Helpline 'Manas' portal with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the states and union territories, the progress of the states against drug trafficking and the effectiveness of the Narcotics Coordination Mechanism (NCORD). Besides, strengthening the functionality and increasing the effectiveness of State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFLS), use of diagnostic database to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking, implementation of provisions of PIT-NDPS Act, establishment of special NDPS courts for speedy disposal of drug related cases and whole of government approach among all agencies to deal with drug trafficking and their abuse will be discussed. During the Drug Destruction Fortnight from 11th to 25th January, 44,792 kg of narcotics worth Rs 2411 crore will be destroyed.

The Government of India has adopted a 'zero tolerance policy' against drug trafficking to reduce the drug menace. The Home Ministry will achieve Prime Minister Modi's goal of a drug-free India by 2047 by following a 3-point strategy of strengthening the institutional structure, coordination among all narco agencies and a comprehensive public awareness campaign. The conference will be attended by Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Ministers and senior officials of the eight participating states and Union Territories, senior officials of various central ministries, departments and law enforcement agencies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar