Adopted comprehensive strategies to eliminate drug menace, says Tripura CM

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Thursday that the state government has taken a comprehensive approach to eradicate the drug menace from the state. 

In his message on the occasion of ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’, the Chief Minister said that ever since the adoption of the ‘Nasha Mukt Tripura’ mission in 2018, a total of 3,307 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 had been registered.

During the past seven years, 5,800 offenders were arrested along with seizure of more than 3.06 lakhs kg dry ganja (marijuana), 13.40 lakhs of codeine based cough syrup bottles, 99.41 lakhs habit-forming tablets, more than 48 kg of heroin, CM Saha said.

He said that, in addition, more than 8.69 crores of ganja seedlings/plants were destroyed. Properties, including vehicles of drug traffickers worth Rs 7 crore, have also been attached to deprive the drug criminals of enjoying the proceeds of crime.

As a part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Tripura’ campaign, state Police in coordination with other central agencies actively enforce anti-narcotic laws, the Chief Minister said. The Union Government has also launched a 15-day “Drug Free India” and “Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada” from June 12 to June 26.

CM Saha, who also holds the state Health and Family Welfare and Home portfolios, said that in the fight against illicit drug trade, Tripura Police have strengthened its intelligence network, law enforcement mechanism and involved citizens, students and civil society for a comprehensive approach to eradicate the drug menace from the state.

He said that the state government has undertaken alternative sources of livelihood programmes in the areas where cannabis (ganja) cultivation is rampant. Forest, agriculture, horticulture and animal resources development departments have been involved to wean away people involved in illegal ganja cultivation towards a normal livelihood, the Chief Minister said. (IANS)

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