Bihar Chief Secretary Orders Satellite Surveillance to Destroy Illegal Opium, Cannabis

In a decisive move to combat narcotics, Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has mandated the use of advanced satellite technology to identify and eradicate illegal cultivation of opium and cannabis across the state. The directive was issued during the 9th Apex Committee meeting of the state-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), held on Monday at the main secretariat auditorium in Patna.

Satellite Data to Target Illegal Crops

Chief Secretary Amrit specifically instructed officials to utilize satellite data from the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) and the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute (ADRIN). This technological approach aims to pinpoint illicit plantations with precision, ensuring their timely destruction and disrupting the supply chain of narcotics at its source.

Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms

The high-level meeting, chaired by the chief secretary, focused on bolstering enforcement and institutional frameworks to curb drug-related activities. Key decisions and directives emerged from the session:

Regular NCORD Meetings: The chief secretary ordered that NCORD meetings be conducted mandatorily every quarter at the state level and every month at the district level to ensure continuous oversight and action.
District-Level Compliance: All District Magistrates were directed to ensure the timely uploading of meeting proceedings and action-taken reports on the dedicated NCORD portal, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Capacity Building: Emphasis was placed on capacity building for state-level drug law enforcement agencies to improve the identification and arrest of drug syndicates operating within Bihar.

Awareness Campaigns and Legal Measures

The committee also explored multi-faceted strategies beyond enforcement:

Public Awareness: A decision was taken to sign Memorandums of Understanding with major spiritual organizations to launch large-scale awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to build social consciousness and promote de-addiction within communities.
Legal Framework: Discussions aligned with Ministry of Home Affairs directives focused on establishing special NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts in the state. Additionally, plans were reviewed to strengthen the system of presenting evidence through video conferencing in trial courts, streamlining judicial processes.
De-addiction Infrastructure: The committee stressed the urgent need to establish and effectively operate de-addiction and rehabilitation centers at the district level, providing critical support for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Enhanced Coordination and Security

Regarding operational logistics, the meeting agreed to ensure the deputation of Bihar Police personnel for the security of the Narcotics Control Bureau office, safeguarding key anti-narcotics operations.

Officials stated that the meeting was fundamentally aimed at enhancing coordination among various agencies to comprehensively tackle drug trafficking, illegal cultivation, and substance abuse. Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit reiterated the state government's zero-tolerance policy against the narcotics trade. He underlined the necessity for stronger policy coordination and the active cooperation of all stakeholders at the ground level to achieve tangible results in this critical fight.

The home department presented a detailed overview of the prevailing narcotics situation in Bihar during the meeting and reviewed compliance with decisions taken at the previous NCORD meeting held on July 1, 2024.