UP Congress President Ajay Rai Urges CM Yogi Adityanath to Tackle Open Sale of Intoxicants

Ajay Rai, the Congress Uttar Pradesh president, has urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to address the rampant sale of intoxicants. In a letter sent on Monday, Rai highlighted the increasing incidents of drug sales and usage in both urban and rural areas of the state. He described these occurrences as a significant failure of administration, stressing the need for immediate action to protect future generations from addiction.

Rai expressed concern over the impact of drugs on the youth and economically disadvantaged groups. He noted that young people, who should contribute to the state's progress, are instead jeopardising their futures through drug use. Similarly, he pointed out that impoverished individuals, struggling with inflation and working hard to support their families, are also falling victim to substance abuse.

Police Awareness and Administrative Response

The Congress leader criticised the police for their apparent lack of awareness regarding drug availability in local areas. He alleged that while ordinary citizens know where drugs can be found, law enforcement seems oblivious. Rai suggested that this ignorance might indicate police complicity or negligence. He likened the administration's inaction to Kumbhakarna's legendary slumber.

In his letter, Rai called for Chief Minister Adityanath's intervention to prevent future generations from being ensnared by drugs. He emphasised the urgency of taking stringent measures against this growing menace.

State-Level Efforts Against Drug Abuse

In a related effort, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh chaired a meeting of the National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD) state-level committee. Singh advocated for identifying hotspots near educational institutions and taking decisive action against drug-related activities there. He stressed preventing new hotspots from emerging post-action.

The meeting underscored the importance of regular district-level NCORD committee meetings and continuous de-addiction awareness campaigns by relevant departments. These initiatives aim to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse in society.

Progress in Combating Drug Trafficking

An official statement revealed that 212 hotspots had been identified, with successful interventions reducing them to 44. Authorities seized 607.11 kilogrammes of illegal drugs and arrested 231 individuals. By November, 5,631 cases were registered, leading to 7,334 arrests and the confiscation of 46,773.24 kilogrammes of illegal substances.

The Anti Narcotics Task Force has also been active this year, registering 117 cases and arresting 260 suspects. They seized 12,693.38 kilogrammes of illegal drugs valued at Rs 130.88 crore.

The ongoing efforts highlight a commitment to tackling drug abuse across Uttar Pradesh. With continued vigilance and action from both government officials and law enforcement agencies, there is hope for reducing this societal threat significantly.