Reaffirming the Andaman & Nicobar Administration’s commitment to achieving Drug-Free Islands, the 19th meeting of the Andaman & Nicobar Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was convened today at the Police Headquarters Conference Hall under the chairpersonship of Sindhu Pillai A, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order/Intelligence) and Chairperson, ANTF, A&N Islands.
The meeting witnessed active participation from all key stakeholder departments including Health Services, Education, Transport, Forest, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Port, CISF, and the Airport Authority of India. Various pressing issues related to the growing menace of drugs in the A&N Islands were discussed in detail. Stakeholders shared valuable insights and proposed strategies to combat drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of coordinated inter-departmental action to ensure effective supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction across the Islands.
A PowerPoint presentation based on compliance reports from the concerned departments regarding points discussed in the previous ANTF meeting was presented by Yogita Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Narcotics), A&N Islands. The presentation highlighted follow-up measures taken by departments to strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and community awareness.
While commending the ongoing efforts to curb drug abuse, IGP and Chairperson, ANTF, Sindhu Pillai, emphasized the urgency of creating a drug-free environment in the Islands. She reiterated the Administration’s firm commitment to eradicating the problem through a balanced approach combining enforcement and rehabilitation. The Chairperson also stressed on developing an effective mechanism for checking incoming cargo to prevent drug inflow and improving rehabilitation facilities for individuals affected by substance abuse.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve among participating departments to intensify their efforts towards achieving the vision of Drug-Free Islands through sustained vigilance, awareness, and coordinated enforcement measures.
The Andaman and Nicobar Police has urged all citizens to remain alert and report any information related to drug abuse or trafficking by contacting the Anti-Narcotics Police Station at 03192-234216, 9531856080, or 112. Public cooperation, the Police emphasized, remains a cornerstone in building a safer, healthier society across the Islands.
