Agartala: Jan 20: The recent legislative assembly session in Tripura has sparked concern among citizens, with the opposition highlighting several failures of the government. One major issue raised by Prabir Chakraborty, spokesperson for the Pradesh Congress, is the government’s unfulfilled promise of a “drug-free Tripura.” Despite claims of progress, Tripura is struggling with a rising drug problem, which has led to an increase in AIDS cases, particularly among students who share syringes.
Chakraborty criticized the Chief Minister’s minimal and insignificant reporting on drug abuse in the legislative assembly. He also pointed out that while the government boasts about arresting drug dealers, those caught are often low-level drivers or assistants, while the real traffickers and dealers, allegedly linked to the ruling party, remain at large.
The situation is alarming, with data from the Tripura State AIDS Control Society showing a significant rise in HIV-positive cases, particularly among injecting drug users. The number of HIV-positive cases among injecting drug users increased from 32 in 2018-19 to 509 in 2021-22.
Chakraborty’s accusations against the government and the police force are serious and warrant attention. The people of Tripura deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders, especially when it comes to critical issues like public health and safety.