Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said his government has taken action against the drug menace and assured stricter measures.
“…When police sometimes have to take strict action against traffickers, including shooting them in retaliation, some MPs are expressing their reservations,” he said while calling on the state assembly on a ‘drug-free Assam’. He added that criticism affects police morale, as they only resort to such measures when they have no other choice.
He said some lawmakers said the danger was widespread in “minority” areas. “I think this affects the majority of the population as well,” Sarma said. He said police often find that the drug smuggling route leads to Myanmar. Sarma added that coordinated efforts are underway with Mizoram and Manipur, which share borders with Myanmar, to ensure smuggling is stopped.
Sarma said efforts are being made to ensure rehabilitation of detainees and people who have recovered from drug addiction. He added that once this threat is controlled, minor crimes such as chain kidnapping and the social ills associated with them will be reduced.
State Minister Bijosh Hazarika told the Assembly that 14,823 cases were filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and other laws between 2021 and 2025. He added that 696 kilograms of heroin and other drugs were seized from smugglers during this period. Hazarika said that 4,175 people were arrested in 2021 and 4,901 in 2025 in related cases.
“This is in sharp contrast to the previous Congress government from 2011 to 2015. In 2011, 195 cases were filed, and 217 people were arrested. Only one kilogram of heroin was recovered. The figures for 2015 were 206 cases, 328 arrests, and one kilogram of heroin recovered.”
Hazarika said the Drugs Free Assam app was launched in 2021 to allow anonymous reporting. He added that 585 complaints were received through the application, with a value of approximately 585 medicines $Rs 3 crore were seized, and 30 people were arrested in 16 cases.
Congressman Jakir Hossain Sikdar, who moved the proposal, said drugs affect all sections of society and strict and coordinated action is needed. “The state police have done a lot, but they have not been able to eradicate drug smuggling, trafficking and abuse. We have heard of cases where police officers released drug dealers after receiving bribes.”
Badruddin Ajmal, a member of parliament for the All India United Democratic Front, said the threat was widespread in Muslim-majority areas, and urged Sarma to take tougher measures.
