Mizoram may retire alcoholic, drug addict policemen

The Mizoram government may ask policemen who are chronic alcoholics or drug addicts to leave the job, an official said here Wednesday.

"The state government is considering a proposal to refer the alcoholic or drug addict policemen to a medical board. If the medical board finds them chronic alcoholic or drug addict then they would be asked to leave the job," the home department official said.

He said the government was considering all legal and administrative aspects of retiring such police personnel.

The proposal, mooted by the state home department, was considered at a meeting here Tuesday. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla chaired the meeting, where Home Minister R. Lalzirliana, senior home department and police officials participated.

"It was estimated that at least 25 to 30 policemen in each of the state's eight police battalions are either alcoholic or drug addict," the official quoted Lalzirliana as saying.

Alcoholism and drug addiction among the police personnel have become a major problem for the police authorities.

The chief minister and the home minister have also asked senior police officials to take appropriate steps to stop using constables for private works.