Aizawl, Sept. 16: In the National AIDS Control Organisation-Phase II (1999-2004), “Targeted Intervention” is the most important component. It aims at reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS in high-risk population by identifying target population (injection drugs users) and providing peer counselling, condom use promotion, needles/syringe exchange program and treatment of sexually transmitted infection.

Twenty-eight projects are being implemented by 22 NGOs in Mizoram for the ongoing year 2003-2004, mainly targeting high-risk groups like Injection Drug Users (IDUS), Commercial Sex workers (CSWS), Truckers, Auto/Taxi drivers, jail inmates, migrants and school-dropouts.

A six-day workshop towards implementing this programme started yesterday. The workshop aims at strengthening the intervention activity.

Shillong encroachment: The Meghalaya government is facing a problem from 333 families encroaching a state-owned land, meant for constructing an annexe of a hospital in West Garo Hills district, reports PTI.

At a meeting convened by the district administration, the encroachers refused to vacate the land at “short notice”.