Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that the state government has decided to set up drug de-addiction centres in all the eight districts of the state.
CM Saha said on Wednesday that the Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry has already sanctioned Rs 198 crore for setting up a special drug de-addiction centre at the state’s Sepahijala district in Bishramganj.
Speaking at an event organised on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Chief Minister said, “The state government has already decided to set up drug de-addiction centres in all eight districts of the state. Each de-addiction centre will cost Rs 20 crore.”
He said drug cartels were using Tripura as corridor for smuggling and illicit trafficking because of the state’s geographical location.
The chief minister said, “Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides while it shares a small portion of inter-state boundaries with Assam and Mizoram. Because of the state’s geographical location, the drug cartels are using the state as a corridor for drug smuggling and illicit trafficking. They have targeted our boys and girls.”
He said the youth of the state have become victims of the drug menace and the state government has taken steps for the rehabilitation of drug abusers.
Saha said the government is also in the process of preparing rules and regulations to monitor the privately owned drug de-addiction centres.
Stating that the state has adopted a zero-tolerance policy to fight against drug addiction and illicit trafficking, Saha said the law enforcement agencies have been working relentlessly to contain the problem.
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“While seizure of drugs and other contraband items has increased by around 103 per cent last year compared to the previous year, destruction of such items has also increased by 132 per cent during the period. It shows the law enforcement agencies have been making all-out efforts to control the situation,” he said.
