Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday said by 2022, the Northeast would be made a drug-free society.
Addressing the newly elected members of the 3-tier gram panchayats of the state, Deb said, “Home minister Amit Shah had announced in the North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting that the Northeast would be made a drug-free society by 2022 when India celebrates its 75th Independence Day.”
He said drug mafia, traders and smugglers of neighbouring countries who are responsible for bringing various drugs into the Northeast would be dealt with the help of Interpol.
“Amit Shah has declared a war against the drugs menace and has asked all the chief secretaries and DGPs to act accordingly,” Deb said.
According to official documents, security agencies including the Border Security Force, Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, and Customs have seized drugs worth more than Rs 600 crore in the region during the past one year.
Over 300 drug smugglers and carriers were also arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
“If anyone found involved in the drug menace and smuggling, irrespective of his party affiliation and official position, toughest action would be taken against them,” said Deb.