New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Deportation and extradition of fugitives and narcotics offenders, financial investigations, and strict enforcement of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act are among eight key agendas of the second Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) conference, beginning Tuesday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah taking part in the inaugural session.
Other agendas include Drug Free India @ 2047 – criticality of ANTF and NCORD; dismantling network linkages and cartels; demand reduction initiatives; an integrated approach for Drug Free Bharat @ 2047; improving effectiveness in investigations and trials; and addressing precursors, synthetic drugs, and clan labs.
The two-day conference will bring together senior police officers and enforcement agencies from across the country to discuss strategies for tackling narcotics trafficking and substance abuse. Deliberations will focus on improving interstate coordination, intelligence-sharing, and strengthening grassroots-level mechanisms to counter the drug menace.
ANTF heads from 36 states and Union Territories, along with stakeholders from other government departments, will attend the conference on September 16 and 17. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the conference will serve as a strategic platform to reinforce Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to a drug-free India and to formulate a roadmap to achieve this goal. The theme of the conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), is “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility.”
The event will include a comprehensive review and analysis of the collective efforts made by all stakeholders in combating the drug menace and deliberate on the future roadmap. Detailed discussions will cover various facets of drug supply, demand reduction, and harm reduction, including national security implications and steps to strengthen drug law enforcement, alongside the need for a whole-of-government approach.
Deliberations are expected to generate actionable outcomes, aiming to move forward with a strategy that draws on the strength of various stakeholders. The NCB and state and UT ANTFs envision a future-ready partnership integrating technology, intelligence, and community action to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed all states and UTs in 2021 to establish dedicated ANTFs and inaugurated the first National Conference of ANTF Heads from all states and UTs in April 2023. (ANI)
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