Agartala, October 11, 2022 : There is no compromise in realizing the dream of creating a drug-free Tripura with the creation of a drug-free India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given such a strong message to the North Eastern Council, said Tripura Chief Minister Prof (Dr) Manik Saha on Monday.
In this regard, Director General of Tripura Police Amitabh Ranjan said that the Narcotics Coordination Committee meeting will be held this month and special teams will be formed to outline the entire cycle of drug trafficking.
Incidentally, Tripura Chief Minister Prof (Dr) Manik Saha has sought the full support of the central government and North Eastern Council in implementing a set of developmental projects related to the interest of the state.
The 70th Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Region was held on October 8-9 at the Assam Administrative College, Guwahati. Union Home Minister and North Eastern Council Chairman Amit Shah presided over the plenary meeting. Union North Eastern Development Minister G Kishan Reddy and other members of the board were also present in the meeting. Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern states were also present in this meeting.
Addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat on Monday afternoon, the Chief Minister briefed the reporters on the issues discussed in the two-day 70th plenary meeting of the North Eastern region. Chief Secretary JK Sinha, State Police DGP Amitabh Ranjan, Planning Department Secretary Apoorba Roy were present in the press conference.
He said that in the meeting various issues related to the North East such as SDG, District Indicator Framework for North East, potential of tourism industry in the North East, investment in private sector (PPP), 5G services, launch of digital school, development of entrepreneurship etc. has been presented.
On the second day of the meeting, Dr Saha brought to the attention of the Union Home Minister, Minister in-charge of DoNER Ministry and other members of the Council to bring to the notice of the North Eastern Council and the Government of India for speedy resolution of the overall outstanding issues related to the development of the North Eastern region, including the priority issues related to the interest of the state.
In this regard, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought the central government of New Delhi to the doorstep of the North Eastern region after assuming office. The Prime Minister’s unequivocal commitment to peace and development in the North East region over the past 8 years has resulted in unprecedented development in the region.
Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Biswas and Sabka Prayas are taking shape in North Eastern states. According to him, the overall economic development of Tripura is the top priority of the state government. Over the last four and a half years, the Tripura government has taken several groundbreaking steps, which have resulted in a massive change in the socio-economic conditions of the state.
He claimed that the state government’s initiatives for economic development and employment through tourism has been mentioned. According to him, currently 5 lakh domestic and foreign tourists are traveling to the state every year. Tripura Tourism Policy – 2020-25 has been launched in the state. Tripura Government aims to provide international quality infrastructure and services to tourists. For this purpose, he expressed his opinion in the meeting that the favorable support of the central government will stimulate this effort of the government.
The Chief Minister said that the Central Government has planned to set up an AIIMS in every state of the country under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. The state has also identified a site for setting up an AIIMS-style hospital. He demanded in the NEC meeting to do this work quickly. The Chief Minister requested the Central Government to consider formation of an Agarwood Board in the state with headquarters at Agartala like Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board.
He further added that there will be no compromise to build a drug-free India as well as a drug-free Tripura, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given a strong message.
According to him, drugs are being smuggled from Myanmar to Bangladesh by crossing the border of Assam and Mizoram via Tripura. In this regard, there has been a demand for stricter monitoring of international borders and borders of states. It has been demanded that drug trafficking should be prevented through coordination between the Superintendents of Police of the border districts of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura if necessary.
Following the change of government in Tripura, the Chief Minister gave details of the success of the anti-narcotics campaign from 2018 to August 2022. He said, 1776 cases were registered, 2701 people were arrested, 698 vehicles were seized, 1 lakh 92 thousand 825 kg of ganja was recovered, 8 lakh 8 thousand 38 bottles of Caff Siraf were recovered, 45 lakh 63 thousand 581 yaba tablets, 18 thousand 73 grams of heroin was recovered and 5 crore 55 lakh 52 thousand 153 cannabis plants were destroyed.
In this regard, Amitabh Ranjan, Director General of Tripura Police, said that the cycle of drug trafficking must be eradicated. A Narcotics coordination committee meeting will be held for him this month. Meanwhile, a special team against drugs has been formed.
