Reports from the North-East says that Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards drug trafficking, emphasising that the police have been granted full autonomy for investigations and apprehensions, devoid of any political influence.
Manik Saha announced his government’s plan to enhance Indo-Bangladesh border checkpoints with advanced scanning technology to combat drug smuggling more effectively, acknowledging the associated high costs but underlining the potential for significantly improved drug detection capabilities and more efficient interception of illegal shipments by security forces.
Dr Saha pointed out that the advanced scanning technology would expedite cargo truck inspections without impeding commercial traffic, aligning with the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative and reinforcing border protection measures.
He highlighted the prevalence of narcotics from Myanmar passing through Assam before entering Tripura for smuggling into Bangladesh, prompting the government to bolster surveillance and implement technology-driven inspections along vulnerable border areas.
The Chief Minister stressed the independent nature of police investigations, emphasising their reliance on evidence and the law, citing a recent significant drug seizure from a train as evidence of the diligence and effectiveness of police efforts.
He also disclosed that law enforcement has extradited several individuals involved in interstate drug trafficking from Delhi and other regions to Tripura, initiating legal proceedings against them, with many currently in judicial custody.
Dr Saha affirmed the government’s hands-off approach to investigations, highlighting the continued confiscation and elimination of narcotics worth crores by the police, leading to substantial financial losses for trafficking networks.
He reiterated the government’s dedication to bolstering internal security and fostering rural development through enhanced enforcement, modern technology utilisation, and the expansion of welfare programmes.
