Shillong: In a significant move to combat drugs and enhance policing, the Meghalaya government has decided to revamp and reorganize the Village Defence Party (VDP) across the state, with a particular focus on identified hotspots, including Shillong.
This decision emerged from an interaction led by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday. The meeting was held under the aegis of the Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) and included representatives from the home police department, Department of Social Welfare, various NGOs, Meghalaya Aids Control Society, and members of the DREAM mission.
Broadening Community Involvement
Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Lyngdoh stated, “We would not like to see DREAM as just a government initiative. To eliminate and eradicate the menace of drugs and narcotics, we need to broaden the involvement of civil society. One of the areas of discussion was on the revamping and reorganizing of the Village Defence Parties (VDP), especially in the identified hotspots including the city of Shillong.”
During interactions with dorbar shnongs (traditional village institutions), there was a consensus that the villages wanted to be actively involved in identifying and tackling the drug problem. “Today’s discussion focused on the possibility of strengthening the presence of VDPs across the state of Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh added.
Empowering the Village Defence Parties
The meeting identified gaps in the current system, with shnongs expressing concerns about inadequate empowerment. They pointed out the cumbersome process of identifying accused individuals and registering cases against them. The government believes that better policing can be achieved by involving communities through the VDPs. “That is going to be a major initiative, revamping and reviving the presence of VDPs across Meghalaya,” said Lyngdoh.
According to the Meghalaya Village Defence Organisation Rules 2008, VDPs assist the police in maintaining law and order, conducting patrols, and preventing crimes such as theft and burglary. “Drugs certainly come under the ambit of the duties and functions of these VDPs, and they will be adequately trained,” Lyngdoh assured.
Legal and Community Support
Secretary of Law & Parliamentary Affairs Department, IAS Cyril V Diengdoh, emphasized the critical role of VDPs in assisting police with drug seizures and acting as independent witnesses. “Strengthening the VDP would help in building a better case leading to conviction in the court of law,” Diengdoh explained.
Responding to queries about private rehabilitation centers, Lyngdoh mentioned the government’s support for nine de-addiction centers, including facilities like the one in Mawlai Town. He reiterated the call for community and professional involvement in providing necessary counseling and medical intervention.
Coordination with Central Agencies
Diengdoh highlighted ongoing coordination between state and central governments under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD), which facilitates intelligence sharing between various agencies.
Addressing Challenges and Moving Forward
Lyngdoh acknowledged the challenges, such as low community response to setting up de-addiction centers, but remained optimistic. He cited the proactive efforts of Mawlai Town Dorbar as an example to follow.
On the role of NGOs, Lyngdoh stressed the importance of legal and structured community engagement. “Reviving the VDPs is vital because then members of civil society can assist in tackling the menace of drugs in a manner that is legal and acceptable under the legal framework,” he stated, emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could inadvertently aid the accused.
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