Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Monday  urged the people of the state to come together in building ‘Nesha Mukta Tripura’ (Drug-Free Tripura) and announced that the government will set up drug de-addiction centres in every district of the state.

Dr. Saha said this after performing Bhoomi Puja for the state’s first 200-bedded integrated drug de-addiction centre at Bishramganja in Sepahijala District.

He also virtually laid the foundation stones for several projects, including the District Transport Office Building in Amtali, Sepahijala District; a road from Bishramganj Bazar to Chikancherra via Barkurbari; a school building at Latiacherra High School; a circuit house building; and additional classrooms and boundary walls for Charilam H/S School.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for the North East region and has introduced the Act East policy. We are also working following PM Modi’s vision. We are committed to ensure all-round development. PM Modi always emphasizes Ease of Living. PM-DevINE schemes have also been initiated here. In the Assembly, many MLAs raised questions about the drug menace. Our government is actively working to combat the drug problem. Before 2018, Tripura was drug-ridden, but after the BJP came to power, we declared Nesha Mukt Tripura (Drug-Free Tripura) campaign,” said Dr. Saha.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the state government has taken numerous steps to help drug-addicted youths overcome their addiction.

“This is a social disorder. Identifying drug-addicted youths in schools and colleges is crucial. I have urged teachers to identify such students. It is also everyone’s responsibility at the community level to recognize and address this issue. We must stand united against drug addiction. We have a strong club culture in the state, and in various meetings with club members, I have urged them to take steps against the drug menace. Public participation is necessary to ease the government’s efforts.

"We are establishing drug rehabilitation centres. By spending Rs 121.90 crore, we are building these centres. The new de-addiction centre will serve as a referral centre with facilities such as a swimming pool, yoga, awareness programs, and more. It will be a G+4 building. Similar centres will be opened in all districts. I appeal to contractors to complete these projects on time. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, and we are committed to maintaining law and order,” Dr. Saha added.

The event was attended by Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, MLAs Sushanta Deb, Kishor Barman, Antara Sarkar Deb, Tafajjal Hossain, Subodh Debbarma, and Biswajit Kalai, as well as Secretary Kiran Gitte, Sepahijala District Magistrate Sidharth Shiv Jaiswal, and SP B.J. Reddy.