Massive Anti Drug Showdown in Assam as AASU Hits the Streets Across 31 Districts

Guwahati: In a massive demonstration, first of its magnitude, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) brought out more than 50000 students across the State on Tuesday for an anti-drug rally. The rally was taken out simultaneously in 31 out of 35 districts of the State.

With increasing drug abuse and smuggling activities in Assam at an all time peak, the AASU decided to hit the road on Tuesday to raise their concern and send a message to create awareness among the public. Highlighting the need for a social awareness among the masses against drugs and drug abuse, the student group voiced for a drug free Assam.

Assam Govt Crackdown on Drug Trafficking

Despite the Assam government's ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, the abuse of drugs continues to be a significant issue in the state. Even in smaller towns and remote areas, drug peddlers are making substances like heroin and other contraband drugs easily accessible to the public.

The state's geographical location, particularly its proximity to the Golden Triangle region in Southeast Asia, plays a key role in the influx of drugs into India via Assam. Additionally, the porous Indo-Myanmar border, especially in Manipur and Mizoram, further exacerbates the growing drug menace in the country.

In the last four years, drugs worth hundreds of crores have been seized and destroyed by the Assam Police Special Task Force. However, despite the all out efforts of the police, the State is yet to witness a drug free environment.

Also Read: Crackdown on Narcotics: Drugs Worth Rs 1.9 Crore Seized in Kerala

Meanwhile, appreciating the anti-drug initiatives of the State government the All Assam Students’ Union demanded more stringent measures. Speaking to Republic Media Network, AASU Chief Adviser Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said that its high time to save the youths of the State from the clutches of drug abuse. “If we don’t take a firm step now, very soon we will witness an Assam where a generation will vanish because of drugs,” he said.

Stating that all social organisations and civil societies should come out to save the youths and hold awareness campaign, AASU president Utpal Sarma said that drug abuse in the state is increasing at an alarming rate and in the days to come, if no firm step is taken now, the situation will only become more worse. “We saw what drugs did to the youths in Manipur and Punjab. We can’t let it happen in Assam,” Sarma said.