Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Thursday said that many prominent people of society are also involved in the drug trade for the sake of money, but no one can save them if they fall into the trap of the law.

“People involved in the drug trade will not be spared under any circumstances. In addition, people from all sections of society must be more aware to prevent child marriage. The government is considering registering marriages before marriage to prevent child marriage,” said the Chief Minister.

Dr Saha said this while inaugurating an awareness program organized under the Drug-Free India Campaign and for the prevention of child marriage at the Gandhigram Higher Secondary School grounds in Bamutia block of West Tripura district.

While discussing the programme, Dr Saha said that awareness programs about a drug-free country and preventing child marriage are very important today.

 “However, there was no such environment of addiction in the state before. But for the past 40 years, the shadow of addiction has prevailed throughout the state, which we are suffering from today. After the formation of the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government in the state, a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against drugs. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also repeatedly given importance to this issue and is constantly reviewing reports,” said Dr Saha.

He said that the state government is also working on drug prevention as directed by the Centre.

 “Various agencies, including the police, are constantly conducting operations against drugs. A large amount of drugs is being seized. The volume of these seizures has increased several times. Many people associated with drugs have been arrested under the NDPS Act and are being punished,” he said.

Dr Saha, who is also the Home Minister of the state, called for more awareness in the state regarding thalassemia, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

 “I have told various agencies, including the police, that those involved in the drug trade should not be given any concessions under any circumstances. Because they are destroying themselves, destroying society, and destroying the state. And many prominent people of society who have free movement in different places are also involved in this. But once they are caught in the net of the law, no one can save them,” he added.

Apart from this, the Chief Minister said, child marriage is another matter of concern.

“Therefore, everyone should come forward to prevent child marriage and raise awareness against it. A girl from our minority community received an award from the President of the country for coming forward to protest against child marriage. Therefore, others should also be inspired by her. Apart from this, the government is thinking of preventing child marriage by ensuring that registered marriages are done before social marriages. In this, girls should complete the age of 18 and boys should complete the age of 21 for marriage. For this, birth certificates will definitely be made mandatory”, he said.

The event was attended by special guests including the acting Sabhadhipati of Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad Bishwajit Shil, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Tripura Women’s Commission Chairperson Jharna Debbarma, Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Jayanti Debbarma, and Bamutia Panchayat Samiti Chairman Dipak Kumar Singha.

Apart from this, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Dr Kiran Kumar K, and other prominent persons were also present as special guests.