Shillong, Aug 31: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Friday slammed the state police for its failure to nab “kingpins” involved supplying drugs which led to rise in number of drug peddlers and users.

The KSU made the statement after apprehending another drug user turned small-time dealer by members of the KSU Upper Shillong Circle and Lummawbah unit.

A twenty-one-year-old youth who was apprehended by the KSU members has revealed the names of big time drug suppliers allegedly residing in the campus of the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) and Madanrting area.

“We used to get the supply (heroin) from persons by the name Michael, Rose and Tha, who claimed to be the wife of an ex-army personnel, from ARC, Happy Valley at the rate of Rs 3,000 – 4,000 per golden tin container for sale in the area (upper Shillong),” the youth told reporters at a press conference.

The youth who is also a college dropout said that he has been into the trade for two years and admitted that the number of drug users has also increased in the area.

KSU President, Lambokstarwell Marngar also questioned the state police for allegedly failed to nab kingpins though the names were revealed by those who were apprehended.

“We wonder why police could not take action against these kingpins when they are very much operating their illegal businesses in the state capital and destroying our youth,” Marngar questioned.

Marngar said that the police should stop targeting small-time peddlers and start concentrating in cracking down big time traders.

KSU Nongthymmai Circle organizing secretary, Richard Mawkhiew said that many peddlers apprehended by the Union have been naming the same people who have been supplying them with heroin.

“We urge the police to take action against these people at the earliest to ensure that the problem is nipped in the bud. As of now, the current scenario is that we do not see any reduction in the number of drug users,” he said.

Marngar also admitted that there is a need for the state government to set up its own rehabilitation centre and come up with mechanism to rehabilitate drug users.

“If the government is not sensitive in addressing this problem, there will come a time that every family will face this problem,” he said.

The state government has not even come up with the latest survey report on the population of drug users in the state till date.

The last survey was conducted in 2009 by the North East India Drugs and Aids Care (NEIDAC).

A report of the 2009 survey revealed that the number of drug users in Meghalaya had gone up to 17,833 in 10 years from 556 in 1999.