Khowai district in Tripura has been honored as the ‘Best Performing District’ by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). This accolade recognizes the district’s exceptional efforts in implementing the Joint Action Plan on the “Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse among Children and Illicit Trafficking.”
The award ceremony, held on June 30 to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, saw the presence of several dignitaries. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityananda Rai, felicitated Khowai’s District Magistrate, Chandni Chandran, for the district’s exemplary performance. The event was also attended by NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanungo, NCPCR Member Secretary Rupali Banerjee Singh, and Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Satya Narayan Pradhan.
Khowai district’s success in this initiative can be attributed to several key measures. These include the installation of CCTV cameras in major medical shops, proactive Prabhari Club activities in schools, and stringent enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
In addition, the district has been proactive in combating child marriage, a prevalent issue in Tripura. In November 2023, Tripura’s Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha, launched the CHESTA scheme (Child Marriage Elimination Through Sensitisation, Tracking, and Awareness). This innovative program, targeting both school-going and out-of-school girls, involves comprehensive stakeholder engagement and offers incentives for informants. The CHESTA scheme has been instrumental in addressing child marriage, which is the leading cause of human trafficking in the state.
