Guwahati: Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog informed the Assembly on Tuesday that more than 24,000 individuals have been apprehended and drugs worth over Rs 3,000 crore seized across the state in the last five years, highlighting the government’s intensified drive against narcotics.
While tabling the interim Budget for 2026–27, Neog highlighted that since the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government assumed office in 2021, authorities have also reclaimed approximately 1.45 lakh bighas (around 48,000 acres) of encroached government land.
Detailing the anti-drug drive, she said that from 2021 onwards, enforcement agencies have made over 24,000 arrests in narcotics-related cases and seized contraband worth more than Rs 3,001 crore — a figure over seven times higher than the recoveries recorded between 2011 and 2015.
On the issue of land encroachment, the minister stated that sustained and legally backed eviction measures have enabled the state to restore nearly 1.45 lakh bighas of public land, making it available for community use and developmental projects.
Neog also spoke about the government’s campaign against child marriage, describing it as a coordinated effort combining strict enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, proactive policing, and community outreach initiatives, supported by welfare programmes such as Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to women’s rights, she said the enactment of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Act, 2025, marks a significant reform aimed at safeguarding women’s dignity and ensuring justice within families.
The Finance Minister further noted that Assam has emerged as the top-performing state in implementing the new criminal laws, registering an implementation score of about 78.13 per cent — considerably higher than the national average of 53.69 per cent.
According to Neog, these combined efforts have strengthened law and order in the state, laying the groundwork for enduring peace and long-term development rather than temporary stability.
She added that since 2021, ongoing peace initiatives have resulted in 9,022 former militants surrendering and depositing 1,012 sophisticated firearms with the authorities.
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Referring to the United Liberation Front of Asom peace accord signed in 2023, the Finance Minister said the Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated Rs 500 crore as the first instalment of a Rs 5,000 crore special package for development and rehabilitation.
She explained that the allocation is intended to fund initiatives promoting sustainable livelihoods, rehabilitation of former cadres and the consolidation of long-term peace in Assam. As part of the Memorandum of Settlement, the state government has also pledged Rs 3,000 crore from its own resources for infrastructure and development projects linked to the ULFA agreement, supplementing the Centre’s assistance.
