BY TC News Desk
Agartala: July 29. In a significant step towards combating human trafficking and drug abuse, the Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, announced the formation of a specialized team tasked with tracing the links of human trafficking in the state.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Cross Border Organized Crimes’ at the Tripura Judicial Academy in Agartala, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a holistic approach and strict stance by the Judiciary on matters of bail, especially considering the stringent provisions of the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.
Chief Minister Dr. Saha highlighted that drug abuse has become a pressing social concern not only in Tripura but also worldwide, particularly in regions like Tripura, which shares international borders with Bangladesh on three sides. The geographical proximity to Bangladesh has made the state vulnerable to drug smuggling, with traffickers using the borders as a safe corridor.
Underscoring the seriousness of drug trafficking, Dr. Saha pointed out that it poses significant health challenges and threatens the future generations of the state. He expressed concern about the younger generation falling prey to drugs out of curiosity and excitement. Additionally, the introduction and use of synthetic drugs have brought about new challenges, leading to health issues like HIV/AIDS.
Moreover, the Chief Minister highlighted that drug trafficking is not only detrimental to society but also a threat to national security, as it becomes a major source of income for terrorist and anti-national elements. These illicit funds are then used to procure weapons for carrying out terror activities.
Since 2018, the state government of Tripura has declared Zero Tolerance to Drugs trafficking as part of its efforts to make the state drug-free.
Dr. Saha also addressed the issue of human trafficking, mentioning that there has been a substantial increase in detentions of Rohingya from Bangladesh in 2023. In response, Tripura Police, along with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), are working diligently to apprehend illegal Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya. To investigate the links of human trafficking, a Special Investigation Team has been formed.
The Chief Minister stressed the crucial role of the judiciary in combating drug abuse and trafficking. He emphasized that merely registering and investigating cases under the NDPS Act would not be enough to eradicate the problem. Instead, he urged the Judiciary to adopt a holistic approach and take a strict view on bail matters, considering the stringent provisions of the NDPS Act, thereby contributing to building a drug-free society and state.
