Lyngdoh urges dorbar shnongs to form VDPs to combat drug menace in Shillong 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 3, 2025

Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday appealed to the dorbar shnong to work with the government to combat the menace of drugs by forming the village defence parties (VDPs) in their respective localities. 

Speaking to media persons, Lyngdoh said the government has revised and enhanced the cash incentive for VDP members from Rs 800 to Rs 3,000 per year. 

According to him, VDP members will assist the police department with information and leads, without being required to be on the streets 24/7.

The minister however expressed concern that despite the government’s efforts, there are only 11 VDPs in Shillong, a city with a population of over 6 lakh.

“I had shared with the dorbar shnong during a well attended meeting at the NEC building at Nongrim Hills where all major dorbar shnong of Shillong had attended and we appealed to them to avail the VDP scheme as VDP which is a legal entity and which will also give them legal coverage and protection and which works in tandem with the police department,” he said.

“I would appeal to the dorbar shnongs to come forward take advantage of the offer of the state government because this is not government versus people, this is the people with us together tackling the menace of drugs,” Lyngdoh added.

Further, the minister informed that six repeat offenders have been detained under the PITNDPS for a period of one year, which is extendable if they are found to be repeating crimes.

The government has provided cash incentives to ANTF personnel and volunteers, acknowledging their efforts in combating drug trafficking.

“Recently, I have visited the ANTF office and we have also given cash incentives to their personnel Rs 10000 per volunteer which has not happened in the past. These are major initiatives,” he said.

Asked, the minister said that activism will not help but it will only defeat the very purpose of the government trying to tackle the menace of drug trafficking.

“As you can see the ANTF is now a totally dedicated police force led by an SP with its own vehicles and trained personnel. Areas which have not been covered by them in the past for instance the cantonment area, Iewduh our ANTFguys are there almost on a daily basis. And for somebody to actually physically go and ahead and catch hold of suspected peddlers that itself is illegal and it also risk the health of a person who actually can come into contact with contaminated syringes and stuff like that,” he stated.