From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that his government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the menace of drugs. Replying to a question in the Assembly today, the Chief Minister said that efforts are on among all the north-eastern states to fight the menace unitedly. The Chief Minister said Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed him to take strict action against drugs, cow smuggling and human trafficking. The Chief Minister told the House that during the last two months, Assam Police has arrested 1,897 persons involved in drug insignificant drugs. He said 28 kg of heroine and 41 kg of opium have been seized during this period. Mr Sarma said that the public burning of seized drugs will be held at four places in the state on 17th and 18th of this month.The Chief Minister told the House that if the youth of the country are to be rescued, action has to be taken against all drug mafias coming from abroad through the North-East route.
On Wednesday, the Assam Chief Minister reacted to the allegations of “encounter”, saying the state would follow the zero tolerance policy. The policy will continue and any drug mafia trying to attack assam police will get a befitting reply. On the third day of the Budget Session, the Chief Minister said, “This war will go on and I will not compromise unless I am in this chair.” Reacting to allegations of fake encounters by the police, the Chief Minister further said that a police officer has to be shot as self-defence. I can’t ask the police personnel not to defend themselves. Talking about the recent seizure of drugs in the state, the Chief Minister said, “After assuming charge as chief minister, I held a meeting with the police department where we discussed the issues of illegal drugs and smuggling and cow smuggling in the state. I directed the team to work with zero tolerance against these drug mafias. Commenting on the recent encounters, the CM said, 1 was killed in the encounter while an attempt was made to escape and 7 others were injured.
These people are generally under the influence of drugs so they are always aggressive. These people have the potential to destroy thousands and thousands of lives. You cannot imagine the mindset of such people. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a total of 3,734 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs and liquor trade at various police stations in the state from January 1 to July 6 this year. Police have seized 6.01 crore litres of illicit liquor, 55.07 kg of heroin. 20,777 kg ganja, 57.06 kg opium, 1.65 lakh bottles of cough syrup, 26.40 lakh tablets, 3314 kg poppy straw, 8 kg crystal meth, 26.70 kg morphine, 1.34 kg of coin and Rs 1.79 crore cash have been recovered from security personnel.
