Serial No.05 HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA Daily List AT SHILLONG MC (PIL) No.7/2025 Date of order: 10.12.2025 Mewaker Lyngdoh vs. Union of India Coram:

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Soumen Sen, Chief Justice Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew, Judge Appearance:

For the Petitioner : Mr. S. P. Mahanta, Sr.Adv with Mr. D. Dkhar, Adv For the Respondents : Mr. K. Khan, AAG with Mr. A.H. Kharwanlang, Addl.Sr.GA Mrs. S. Laloo, GA Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI with Ms. K. Gurung, Adv i) Whether approved for Yes/No reporting in Law journals etc.:

ii) Whether approved for publication Yes/No in press:

The affidavit filed by the Joint Secretary and Director, Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya and the affidavit filed by the Home Police Department are taken on record.

In the affidavit filed by the Joint Secretary, the steps taken by the State of Meghalaya to address the drug menace and rehabilitation of the drug addicts have been explained. However, it appears from the said affidavit that there is a shortage of rehabilitation centres in rural areas and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been entered into with the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM). It also appears from the report that one rehabilitation centre has been established at Laitkor with the assistance of DREAM and was inaugurated on 05.12.2025. DREAM has assured that they would undertake extensive community outreach in West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills to engage with community leaders, faith leaders, NGOs and civil society organisations in both districts. A total of more than 2000 beneficiaries have been targeted under these initiatives and many more stand to benefit through the statewide survey, the newly supported rehabilitation centres and the NAVCHETNA training programme.

However, in respect of the other areas, it is essential that the State should take immediate steps, apart from the robust campaign against drug abuse and drug menace to establish rehabilitation centres by identifying areas. Any delay in establishing rehabilitation centres may only aggravate the situation. In addition to the aforesaid, the NGOs, the District Social Welfare officers and all the stakeholders may coordinate with the Secretaries of MSLSA and DLSAs for proper campaigning against the drug menace and drug abuse, and shall ensure wide public participation and awareness across Meghalaya, including the rural areas of the State. Mass awareness and preventive activities along with preventive intervention at frequent intervals, can only reduce the present alarming situation in the State and it should be the endeavour of all to make comprehensive plans and actions to do away with drug and substance abuse.

The State shall constitute a Monitoring Committee to address the drug and substance abuse and rehabilitation of the victims, preferably, every month. The Monitoring Committee shall be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya. The Monitoring Committee shall consist of one psychologist, a qualified counsellor and Mr. S.P. Mahanta, Sr.Adv, amongst others. We request the Chief Secretary to constitute the Monitoring Committee to such other officers as may be necessary for the proper implementation of the various measures taken by the State government in this respect is left open to the Chief Secretary.

This matter shall be listed on 02.03.2026.

Dr. N. Mozika, learned DSGI has submitted that he has not yet received any instruction from the Union of India and as such, no affidavit could be filed. Having regard to the facts earlier revealed and as revealed from the report filed today by the Home Police Department, disclosing that illicit trafficking is taking place amongst others in the Indo-Bangladesh border areas, we direct the Border Security Force and the Customs authorities to file affidavits with regard to the steps they have taken to prevent illicit trafficking of narcotics. The Commissioner of Customs, Shillong and the Inspector General of BSF, Shillong, are directed to file such aff