Drug paddler arrests surge in 2023, surpassing past two years' record: CM

Due to the dedicated efforts of the state government, led by Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, Tripura has achieved a significant milestone in the fight against drug smugglers, as in 2023, 1052 individuals were arrested in 633 cases, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous two years.

In a calling attention notice raised by CPIM MLA Jitendra Chaudhury, Dr. Saha stated on Thursday that the state government has persistently pursued the anti-drug campaign on a large scale.

"The government has taken this step, especially considering the harmful effects on students and youth due to the widespread use of various drugs in the state. As a result of these operations, substantial quantities of illegal drugs, including cannabis, cough syrup, narcotic tablets, and heroin, have been seized from various parts of the state. Individuals involved in drug-related activities, accomplices, and dealers have been arrested," said Dr. Saha.

Dr Saha highlighted the success of Tripura Police's anti-narcotics campaign over the last three years in the Assembly.

In 2021, the police arrested 501 people in 352 cases, confiscating approximately 41,565 kg of ganja, 2.6 lakh bottles of cough syrups, 14.19 lakh tablets, and 3,850 grams of heroin. Additionally, 62.20 lakh cannabis plants were destroyed.

In 2022, 759 people were arrested in 562 cases, resulting in the confiscation of 79,377 kg of ganja, 1.73 lakh bottles of cough syrups, 2.2 lakh tablets, and 7,075 grams of heroin. During this period, 42 lakh 38 thousand 918 cannabis plants were destroyed.

In 2023, 1052 people were arrested in 633 recorded cases.

"46,631 kg of ganja, 3,08,582 bottles of cough syrup, 4.44 lakh tablets, and 18,844 grams of heroin were seized. During this period, 68,73,935 cannabis plants were destroyed."

Dr. Saha mentioned that, in line with the directives of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, various state departments, including the Department of Social Welfare and Social Education, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Education, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Narcotics Control Bureau, and various NGOs, have collaborated to establish State and District Level Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign Committees. These committees aim to assess addiction situations and devise prevention plans.

"The Tripura State AIDS Control Society has initiated Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centers in areas like Kumarghat, Kailashahar, Damachara, Ambassa, Jirania, and Jampui. A recent addition is a center in Bhati Abhaynagar. Furthermore, the State Health Department inaugurated a dedicated OPD-based addiction clinic named Drug Treatment Clinic (DTC) in August 2019 at Modern Mental Hospital, Narsinghgarh, with financial support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Government, and AIIMS, New Delhi," he added.

Dr. Saha informed that Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) has been introduced in the De-Addiction Center at Government Modern Psychiatry Hospital, and proposals to extend this facility to other districts of the state are currently under process.