Sri Vijaya Puram, May 18: CPI (M) has expressed concern over the grave concern and anguish on the drug addiction among the people of these islands particularly youngsters. In a resolution adopted in the CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Secretariat held at Port Blair under the chairmanship of Projit Kumar Sarkar observed that drug addiction affects not only health but also education, employment, and social stability thereby undermining the potential of young people to the society.
The meeting noted that huge haul of drugs particularly MDMA/ Methamphetamine in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and in the Andaman sea in the recent years reveal that this union territory is a heaven for drug smugglers. CPI (M) noted that MDMA weighing 6000 kilograms worth Rs. 36,000 crores in the international market was seized by the Coast Guard in the Andaman Sea during December, 2024. The meeting noted that the Govt. of India and A & N Administration failed to investigate the origin and destination of this huge catche of drugs and arrest the persons involved in the smuggling.
CPI (M) State Secretariat meeting noted that recently, about 21 Kgs of Methamphetamine was seized by the police in the forests of Middle Andaman. In this case also, proper investigation has not been carried out to nab the persons involved in the smuggling of such a huge quantity of narcotics.
The CPI (M) is of the opinion that the seizure of narcotics of various quantities from different parts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands indicates the massive availability of psychotropic substances in the islands. CPI (M) feels that this menace can be controlled only through the collective efforts of the government agencies, political parties, social organizations, student and youth orgnaisations in the islands. It is high time that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration should launch a campaign on the ill-effects of the narcotics besides taking stern action against the perpetrators of this crime.
CPI (M) State Secretariat meeting, therefore, urged upon the Government of India and A & N Administration to take effective measures to contain the drug smuggling and availability of narcotics in these islands besides launching a territory-wide awareness campaign among the people especially the youth and students.
A copy of the resolution was sent to the Lt Governor, A & N Islands, Home Secretary, Govt of India, DGP and John Brittas, MP by D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee.