Crisis Team of CoNE rescued two community members from police

Crisis Team of CoNE rescued two community members from police

Harassment and demanding money from people who use drugs by different law enforcement agencies at north AOC, Imphal is very common when drug users comes here to get drugs. Since this place is one of the well-known hotspot in Imphal, most of the law enforcement agencies are earning good money on daily basis.

      Today around 1.30pm two drug users K. Tomba and Johnson (name changed) went to this place to buy drugs but two policemen who were on civil dress apprehended them. They  were threatened  like anything and even  take away their scooter (Honda Activa) between 2-3pm . Finally they were asked to give 10000/- (Ten thousand only).  Meanwhile they were allowed to buy drugs from one of peddler but again make them arrested by another police team after coming out from the house of the peddler and released them after taking Rs.300/- from them. The previous police team asked them to go home and get the money immediately to get back their scooter.

One of them called up our executive member of CoNE and informed about the incident. It was learnt that at the time of their arrested there was no drugs with them but this policemen knew one of them as drug user. Immediately our member gets together and discussed the issue and decided to response immediately.

A team comprises of 8 members of CoNE went to the spot where the policemen asked them to come with money. The team met the policemen started inquiring of the incident. Initially the police personnel tried to hide their identity by saying that they are from Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) but later the team came to knew  that they are from Imphal East police station and comes there to earn money. The team explained the police personnel that, this is not the right way of treating people who use drugs but rather they need treatment at rehabilitation centre. After a thorough discussion and mutual understanding, the policemen agreed to release the two drug users and their scooter without paying the money.

The two community members were taken to CoNE office and gave counseling by the leadership team of CoNE. They were given the information of various services available in the city for treatment of addiction.

The two drug users told to CoNE team that they were almost ready to pay the amount demanded by the police because they were afraid that if the information reached to their family it would become a huge problem. But luckily they save the money and also know about the treatment option available. They thanked the team of CoNE and show their interest for volunteering in CoNE.

These cases are happening on daily basis in this hot spot. There is need for advocacy with police to stop such kind of harassment to people who use drugs. They are simply putting people in more vulnerable situation.

Otherwise prevention of HIV will remain as wish ……………..