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Even as the state is facing serious threat of drugs abuse –that affects the entire new generation the High Court of Tripura on Tuesday came out with an innovative idea to combat the menace.
Justice Arindam Lodh having heard a bail petition of two drugs peddler not only denied the bail but also ordered their parents to launch campaign against drugs use and peddling in their respective areas with the help of the administration.
Justice Lodh was hearing an application for granting bail to Jibanjoy Tripura and Selenjoy Tripura of Gandacherra (Gondatwisa) who had been arrested by Birganj police under the NDPS act for allegedly drugs (heroin) peddling.
Senior Lawyer Subrata Sarkar who was another lawyer Ayesha Saha Hirawat submitted that both Jibanjoy Tripura and Selenjoy Tripura had been in custody for the last 78 days. In the meantime, since the investigating officer submitted part charge-sheet both the accused persons were entitled to be enlarged on bail.
Their pleas were countered by S. Ghosh Additional P.P who opposing the bail application submitted that the accused were connected with another crime registered with the Gondatwisa Police Station.
Having heard the both sides, Justice Lodh observed : “In my opinion, at this stage, it is not a fit case for granting bail to the accused persons. Both the accused persons are very young and at this age, they have involved themselves in drug-peddling, which will not only spoil their life and career but also will have a tremendous adverse affect to the generations to come as it is a curse to the entire society”.
He then added : “Entire young generation is going to be affected due to such kind of illegal drug-peddling. It is witnessed that everyday there are so many instances of seizure of illicit and contraband drugs and arrests thereof. Tripura has become a gateway and a safe corridor of trading such kind of illicit drugs”.
He then rejected the bail petition and kept it pending for one more month.
And then Justice Lodh , directed the parents and other family members of the accused persons, – Jibanjoy Tripura and Selenjoy Tripura to start ‘campaign against trading and use of drugs’ in their own areas/villages and the place wherefrom they hail against the use, consumption and trading of illicit and contraband goods.
“The family members may hold meetings with both the elderly and young people of the villages and their family members to prevent the use of drugs and trading of the same within their villages. They are to undertake the campaign at least for a month”.
The judge the directed the Officer-In-Charge of Gondatwisa Police Station, the Block Development Officer and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gondatwisa Sub-Division to assist the family members of the accused persons in conducting such campaign and prepare a report regarding reactions of the villagers and the family members of the accused persons.
The OC Gondatwisa PS was also directed to videograph and photograph the campaign.
“He may also take the assistance from the local administration. The Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of the Legal Services Authority of the State working under Gondatwisa Sub-Division are also directed to supervise and extend their all helps to organize the conduct of the meetings”.
“The Officer-In-Charge of Gondatwisa Police Station, the Block Development Officers of Gondatwisa Sub-Division, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gandatwisa Sub-Division and the District Magistrate & Collector of Dhalai District are directed to send their individual report about such campaign along with photographs of holding of such meetings in the villages of the accused persons to be undertaken by their family members”.
(Courtesy Tripura Times)
