Tripura to be ‘drug free State’: Deb

Agartala, June 25: The law enforcing agencies have maximised their insistent efforts to make Tripura a "drug free state" as declared by the BJP government, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb told the Tripura assembly on Monday.

"During the first 100 days of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government, the law enforcing agencies, especially the police, have seized 12,035 kg dry 'ganja', various types of cough syrup, habit-forming tablets, brown sugar and heroin in Tripura," Deb, who also holds the Home portfolio, told the house.

The market value of 12,035 kg dry 'ganja' is around Rs 7.22 crore.

The Chief Minister said that as per the state government's instructions, the law enforcing agencies would intensify and continue their actions against smuggling, abuse, illegal trade and cultivation of drugs.

"The efforts of the law enforcing agencies will continue until the state becomes a 'drug free zone'. The actions and drive against the smuggling, abuse, illegal trade and cultivation of drugs were minimal during the 25 years rule of previous Left Front government causing their huge magnitude," he said detailing the comparative statistics of drug-related activities and actions.

Deb said that during the first 100 days of BJP governance in Tripura, over two lakh "ganja" plantations were destroyed in different parts of Tripura. "With the curbing of drug-related activities, the state government is keen to diminish the crime against women. Besides the state government has taken a series of steps to check these crimes," the Chief Minister said.

In order to boost community policing, he said, PRAYAAS committee has been formed in each police station area to deal with policing. "These will involve all sections of people, including former policemen, women, veterans and renowned personalities of the locality."

"Bangladesh is our good and friendly neighbour. Various types of drugs especially the different kind of cough syrup should not be smuggled to that country from India. We have a responsibility for the welfare of Bangladesh," Deb added. (IANS)