Agartala, June 25, 2025: Reiterating the state’s strong stance against narcotics, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday said the government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking.
Speaking at an event at Umakanta Maidan here in Agartala city to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Dr. Saha emphasized that no compromise would be made in the fight against drugs.
Organized under the ‘Drug-Free India’ campaign by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Agartala Zonal Unit in collaboration with the West Tripura District Administration, the programme featured a blood donation camp and a motorcycle rally to spread awareness.
Dr. Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, highlighted Tripura’s geographic vulnerability to narcotics movement. “Tripura is surrounded by international borders on three sides and shares boundaries with Assam and Mizoram. As a result, the state is being exploited as a drug corridor into Bangladesh. Our children are being targeted—not because of their fault, but due to their circumstances. They become victims, and these victims need treatment,” he said.
The Chief Minister underlined the significance of the occasion, recalling that the United Nations declared June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987 to combat drug abuse and promote awareness.
He also announced that drug de-addiction centres would be set up across all eight districts of Tripura to support rehabilitation efforts.
Citing recent data, Dr. Saha said drug seizures in the state had surged by 104% in 2024–25 compared to the previous fiscal year, while drug destruction activities increased by 132%. He credited the police, security forces, and various agencies for their active role in combating the narcotics menace.
The event was attended by Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, DGP Anurag, NCB (NER) Deputy Director General R. Sudhakar, Anti-Narcotics Task Force Head A.R. Reddy, Secretary Abhishek Singh, West Tripura DM Dr. Vishal Kumar, SP Dr. Kiran Kumar K., and other senior officials.
