IMPHAL, April 9 - Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh inaugurated the Special Court ND & PS (Fast Track Court), Manipur at Cheirap Court Complex in Imphal West district today.
The Court has been especially established to deal with drug menace and facilitate speedy trial of offences relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren Singh said that people have been demanding the Government to establish separate Fast Track Courts for crime against women and narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (ND & PS) related cases to ensure speedy justice. The Fast Track Court for Crime Against Women was inaugurated on June 27 last year.
Large areas of poppy plantation had been destroyed under State Government�s �War Against Drugs� campaign in the past few months, he said while adding that Agar plantation would be introduced as an alternative livelihood to the villagers who used to grow poppy plants earlier.
An MoU regarding setting up of an Agar factory in the State had already been signed with a foreign firm during North East Development Summit (NEDS) held last year, he said. The Chief Minister said that he has been told that in Manipur around three lakh Agar saplings are being prepared at Jiribam.
Observing that school drop-out is one of the major reasons for high prevalence of drug/substance abuse and indulgence in different crimes by teenagers and young adults, the Chief Minister informed that the State Government is planning to help re-admit around 40,000 school drop-outs under a special scheme at the earliest.
Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, Law and Legislative Affairs Minister L Jayantakumar Singh, Advocate General N Kumarjit Singh and High Court of Manipur Judge Justice Kh Nobin were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Jayantakumar said that drug menace is a serious problem in the State as it is located close to the international border and notorious Golden Triangle.
