Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya launches anti-drug padyatra in Cachar

way2barak, September 17: –Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Thursday launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Padyatra from Nehru College at Pailapool in Cachar, with more than 2,000 students, teachers, officials and members of civil society joining the awareness march against drug abuse.

Notably, The padyatra, which began after a public meeting at the college is part of a statewide campaign covering 10 districts and will continue till October 2.

The Governor said the campaign should reach far beyond the venues of official programmes and become a sustained effort involving families, educational institutions, youth groups and local communities.

Addressing the gathering at Nehru College, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya said the fight against drugs was closely connected with the future of young people and the well-being of families. He appealed to students and youth to stay away from drugs and utilise their time and energy in education, sports, yoga, cultural activities, skill development, innovation and community service.

“Drug abuse does not affect only the person who takes drugs. Its impact is felt by the family and the wider society,” the Governor said, stressing the need for awareness and timely intervention. He also called for counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by addiction alongside strict action against those involved in drug trafficking.

The Governor said the enthusiastic participation of students and local residents had given the Cachar programme a strong public character. He urged participants to carry the message from the Pailapool march to their villages, neighbourhoods, schools and families.

Speaking at the event, Assam Govt’s Minister for Food, Public Distribution, Housing and Urban Affairs and Cooperation Kaushik Rai welcomed the Governor and said Cachar’s geographical location made the district particularly important in the fight against drug trafficking. Referring to routes linked to Myanmar, Manipur and Mizoram, Minister Kaushik Rai said traffickers were attempting to use the region to move drugs into Assam.

At the same time, he pointed to the regular seizures being made by Cachar and Assam Police and said the cooperation of local people was important in helping the authorities identify trafficking networks.

The Minister also referred to the Governor’s visit to Lakhipur earlier in the day to honour 108 year old Sunila Das. He said the recognition of the district’s oldest resident and the Governor’s visit to Nehru College had made the day special for the people of Lakhipur and Cachar.

Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta said the administration was focusing on awareness among young people and greater coordination between schools, families, community organisations, health services and law enforcement agencies. He said preventing drug abuse required continuous work at the local level and urged students to become active participants in spreading awareness.

Cachar SSP Partha Pratim Das spoke about the police’s continuing action against drug trafficking in the district. He appealed to residents to share credible information about the movement of narcotic substances and said cooperation between the police and the public was essential to prevent the illegal trade from taking root in local communities. The Governor also felicitated NGOs and individuals who have contributed to the prevention and control of substance abuse.

Before the padyatra began, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue on the Nehru College campus. The march then proceeded towards Pailapool Chowk, where students, teachers, officials and members of civil society joined the procession.

Earlier, the Governor visited the residence of 108 year old Sunila Das at Krishnanagar under Chhota Mamda Gaon Panchayat in Lakhipur and felicitated her under the Governor of Assam’s Varishtha Nagrik Samman initiative. Minister Kaushik Rai was present during the felicitation programme.

It’s worth mentioning that Sunila Das, wife of the late Bihari Das was presented with a traditional Assamese gamosa, saree, shawl, umbrella and a basket of fruits. The Governor also handed her a cheque of Rs 51,000 and conveyed his good wishes for her continued well-being.

Members of Das’s family subsequently felicitated the Governor, Minister Kaushik Rai, Cachar District Commissioner and the district police chief with traditional Assamese gamosas. Gaon Panchayat president Rajesh Das also attended the programme.

For many of the young participants at Pailapool, the padyatra was more than a march. Students walked alongside teachers and officials carrying a simple message against substance abuse. With the campaign scheduled to continue in other districts until October 2, the organisers hope the message reaches more young people at the community level.

Assam Government Minister for Food, Public Distribution, Housing and Urban Affairs and Cooperation Kaushik Rai, Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, IAS, SSP Partha Pratim Das, Lakhipur Co-District Commissioner Dhrubajyoti Pathak, ACS, Additional District Commissioner Jagriti Kalwar, ACS, Assistant Commissioner & IC DDIPR Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam, Arunabh Choudhury ACS, PRO to Hon’ble Governor, Lucky Biswas, Nehru College Principal Dr L. Bharati Singh and other officials and dignitaries attended the programme.

The program at Neheru College was anchored by Biplab Biswas.

This is stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.