The HQ of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of inspector general of Assam Rifles (East) on Saturday launched the first phase of the anti-drug campaign in Mizoram.
The campaign, named ‘Ruihhlo Do: A War Against Drugs’, will be conducted in four phases across the state.
Although the state government is making massive efforts to curb the drug menace, Assam Rifles has taken up the initiative to assist the civil administration and help them in the overall uplift of the society and help the youth disengage from the evil clutch of drugs in a progressive manner.
Aizawl battalion launched the campaign with a pledge ceremony administered by Assam Rifles DIG, Brigadier Digvijay Singh in the presence of representatives of all the prominent NGOs of the state.
Colonel Viplav Tripathi, the commandant of Aizawl battalion, gave an insight to the drug menace and the roll on plan for the Anti-drug campaign in his welcome speech.
The first phase of the anti-drug drive culminated with an interactive session focused on modalities and aimed results of the drive.
A drug awareness video was also screened for all the participants highlighting the negative impacts of drug intake.
The NGO leaders expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the initiative by Assam Rifles and also showed their solidarity in carrying forward the initiative of Assam Rifles to the larger mass.
Lunglei battalion of Assam Rifles marked the launch of the campaign with a bike rally jointly organized with a biker group – Royal Knights.
The bikers visited ‘Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts’ where a cake cutting ceremony was organised and the commandant of Lunglei battalion of Assam Rifles distributed essential commodities and anti-COVID19 items.
At least 1,645 people, including 193 females, have died due to drug abuse in Mizoram since 1984 when the first drug related death due to heroin was reported in the state.
A total of 66 people, including 6 females, died due to drug abuse in 2020.
Mizoram is sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with which it shares about 722 km long international border.
The northeastern state has witnessed many drug seizures last year and most of the drugs, especially heroin were smuggled from Myanmar.
State Excise and Narcotics department claimed that the rise in demand by drug users and thirst for financial profit by smugglers have led to an increase in drug supply from outside the state, especially from Myanmar.