Agartala, August 28: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Friday that the state government is actively working under a zero tolerance policy against drugs. In recent years, there has been a surge in the trafficking of synthetic drugs, which have increasingly replaced traditional and natural substances.
Responding to questions raised by senior Congress leader Gopal Chandra Roy during the second day of the monsoon session of the Tripura Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the state government, along with security agencies and police, is making continuous efforts to curb drug trafficking in the state.
The Chief Minister noted, “Due to the government’s persistent efforts, the conviction rate against drug traffickers and illegal dealers has risen to 14.7% by July this year, up from 11.7% in 2023.”
Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy alleged that some police department employees are also involved in the illegal drug trade. However, the Chief Minister firmly stated that anyone involved in illegal drug-related activities will not be spared.
He emphasized that the government is not only taking legal action against drug traffickers and dealers but is also conducting extensive awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of drugs. He personally appealed to parents to keep an eye on their children attending schools and colleges to help them stay away from addiction.
The Chief Minister highlighted that coordination between the police and judiciary has been strengthened to improve the conviction rate. The state police has also established a special unit to investigate cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985.
Gopal Chandra Roy claimed that drugs are being trafficked through railway routes, and the drug trade has significantly expanded in Tripura.
According to senior police officials, the trafficking of highly addictive methamphetamine pills, heroin, and other narcotics occurs in Tripura from various parts of India, including the northeastern states.
Officials also reported that codeine phosphate cough syrup, which is illegally used as a narcotic in Bangladesh, is being trafficked as well.
The police indicated that Mizoram and Manipur have emerged as major corridors for drug trafficking in Northeast India, due to their long and open international border with Myanmar and proximity to the Golden Triangle region, one of the world’s largest illegal drug production areas.
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