Shah calls for mutual assistance to prevent drug trafficking

Inaugurating the two-day conference on controlling drug trafficking for BIMSTEC countries here, he said that India has prepared a strong policy to prevent this menace and has also reviewed the policies for prosecution and coordination among the various agencies working at different levels.

Assuring the participant countries ( Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan), that neither India will allow the  entry of drugs from any part of the world nor will let the drug export from this soil, Mr Shah said that India has zero tolerance policy for drug trafficking and also taken some strong steps to prevent this problem.

He further said besides having diplomatic relations with the participant nations, India also shares the culture and traditions and the nations near Bay of Bengal have to work in close coordination to prevent this menace.

''India has taken major initiatives with United Nations(UN) and Interpol to have a better coordination with international agencies and revisited manuals and policies,'' Mr Shah said.

He also briefed about the measures taken by the Union Home Ministry such as setting up a National Coordination unit  for better cooperation between various agencies at Centre and state levels, Joint  Committee for the proper identification of drugs, digitalisation of drug data and e-portal.

The Minister also said that the enforcement agencies have arrested over two lakh people, including foreigners.

Referring to UN World Drug Report, the Home Minister said that 5.5 per cent of the world population between the age group of 15 -64 has been affected by the drug menace.

The profit earned through this illegal drug trade is mostly used in de-establising the Governments and the societies as well, he added.

The traffickers are using sea routes and in September last year, a huge quantity was seized near Andaman Islands.

Mr Shah said that India has initiated a campaign to create awareness among the internet and social media users as these have been in use for drug trafficking.

The two-day symposium has been organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau of India. Minister of States for External Affairs P Murlidharan, BIMSTEC Secretary General Shaidul Islam and Union Home Secretary and Director General NCB were present on the occasion.