Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 12: In a significant move against drug trafficking, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Mr. Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security” in New Delhi on 11/01/25. During the event, he launched the Special Drug Disposal Fortnight, reaffirming the nation’s commitment in eradicating the drug menace.
Marking the beginning of this initiative, the Andaman & Nicobar Police commenced the destruction of the country’s largest-ever haul of seized drugs of approximately 6000 kgs of Methamphetamine with an estimated international price of approximately 36000 crores. The disposal process, supervised by Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, Director General of Police, A&N Islands, began on 11/01/25 at 1000 hrs under the aegis of a High-Level Drug Disposal Committee chaired by Mrs. Geeta Rani Verma, IGP (L&O/HQ/Intel).
The committee, comprising of Mr. Jitendra Kumar Meena, IPS, SSP (CID) and Mr. Mohd. Irshad Haider, IPS, SP (HQ) and representatives from key agencies such as the A&N Pollution Control Board, Enviro Check (for monitoring emissions), and GB Pant Hospital, initiated the destruction process. This marks the first phase of the systematic disposal process with the drive continuing until the complete disposal of the seized narcotics.
The initiative follows the directives of the Supreme Court of India in Mohanlal vs. Union of India and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules (Seizure, Storage, Sampling, and Disposal), 2022.
This drive underscores the unwavering resolve of the Andaman & Nicobar Police in creating a drug-free society.
The entire process was broadcasted live from Eleven different locations in the Country and was attended by Mr. Chandra Bhushan, IAS, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands & Mr. Neeraj Bharti, IAS(Secretary, Home) as well. The destruction process was meticulously recorded on video & conducted in strict compliance with all the legal & procedural requirements.
The Union Home Minister in his address, highlighted the significance of this exercise in safeguarding the future of the Nation, reaffirming the government’s commitment for a “Nasha Mukt Bharat”.
DGP Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sh. H.S. Dhaliwal, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Coast Guard and all other stakeholders for their invaluable support in making this operation and its subsequent disposal a success. This milestone underscores the strength of Islands’s law enforcement framework and its resolve to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens.
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