Kohima: Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma has expressed serious concern over the rising drug menace in the state, warning that Nagaland may be “losing the war against drugs” following the circulation of a disturbing video allegedly showing drug users near the railway station area in Dimapur.
In a Facebook post, the DGP said the situation has reached a critical point and urged a shift from a “whole-of-government” approach to a “whole-of-society” response to effectively tackle the growing drug problem.
DGP Flags Alarming Drug Situation in Nagaland
Rupin Sharma said the viral visuals highlight the urgency of addressing the issue more aggressively, stating:
“We are on a precipice — a fall stares us unless we shift from a whole-of-government approach to a whole-of-society approach.”
He stressed that enforcement alone is not sufficient and that public cooperation is essential to control the spread of drugs in the state.
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Appeal to Citizens for Stronger Public Involvement
The Nagaland DGP urged citizens to actively assist law enforcement agencies by identifying:
- Drug users and peddlers
- Traffickers and financiers
- Mule account operators
- Individuals sheltering drug networks
He noted that such individuals often operate in plain sight and may be identified through suspicious behavior, including unexplained wealth or sudden financial gains without known sources of income.
Police Efforts and Tenant-Landlord Registration System
Sharma highlighted ongoing initiatives by the police, including the Tenant-Landlord registration system, designed to prevent criminals and drug networks from finding shelter.
However, he emphasized that such measures will be effective only with strong community participation, adding:
“Without public cooperation, we aren’t succeeding much.”
Earlier Warning on Cross-Border Drug Networks
The DGP has previously warned about the scale and complexity of drug trafficking in the Northeast region.
Speaking at the Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) in Dimapur last year, he called for:
- Intelligence-driven operations
- Technology-led enforcement
- Strong inter-state coordination
He noted that Nagaland has an estimated 1.2 lakh drug users, with heroin and brown sugar (locally known as “Shan Flower”) being widely consumed.
Call for Coordinated Action Against Drug Trade
Sharma also highlighted that drug traffickers operate across state and national boundaries, making enforcement challenging without coordinated action.
“Unless seamless coordination is established among states and agencies, efforts to curb the drug trade would continue to be ineffective,” he had said.
He warned that fragmented enforcement efforts often result in authorities “chasing shadows” rather than dismantling the core networks.
Focus on Community Role in Fighting Drugs
Reiterating his appeal, the Nagaland DGP urged citizens to protect families and communities while actively supporting law enforcement. He also cautioned people not to take the law into their own hands, stressing the need for lawful and coordinated action.
The statement underscores growing concern within the state’s top police leadership over the expanding drug problem and the need for collective responsibility to address it.
