HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, June 23: An awareness meeting was organised on Sunday at Margherita Namdang Tea Estate playground. It is noteworthy that in the tea gardens area under Margherita subdivision of Tinsukia district, the sale of drugs, liquor, poppy, opium, hooch, gutkha items has rampantly increased, polluting and spoiling the environment. If action is not taken soon, the upcoming younger generation will be pushed to the brink of destruction.
The awareness meeting was organised by the Village Defence Party (VDP) Namdang Committee. Present at the meeting were its president Sanjay Karmakar, secretary Bipin Gwala, Margherita Thana Committee president Robin Raja, Ledo Valley Lions Club president Bhupendra Singh Virdi, Margherita Cooperative Society president Rajendra Rai, Margherita Sub Divisional medical officer Dr Sashindra Barman, Assam Tea Tribes Student Association (ATTSA) joint publicity secretary of Central Committee Pranjal Baraik, All Adivasi Student Association of Assam (AASAA) Margherita Regional Committee president Sanjay Barla, vice president Sebastian Turuwaar, general secretary Samuel Topno, former Margherita ATTSA leader Nuwel Patra, noted social worker of Margherita Bijay Tanti, and more than 500 tea tribes/Adivasi community people from Namdang Tea Estate.
Related Posts:
The awareness meeting was presided over by Margherita Thana Committee president Robin Raja, and noted social worker of Margherita Ajay Tanti outlined the aims and objectives of the meeting in his speech.
Bijay Tanti, in his address, highlighted the growing menace of drug abuse and other intoxicants in the tea garden areas under Margherita subdivision, drawing attention to the addiction problems among the upcoming youth of the tea tribes community, which threatens to paralyse the upcoming generation.
Dr Sashindra Barman, Margherita sub divisional medical officer, emphasised that while individuals arrested in drug abuse or peddling cases may obtain bail after some days, breaking free from the vicious cycle of addiction is extremely challenging once entered. He stressed the need for awareness about the harmful effects of drug consumption, stating that real change can only occur when consciousness about these issues is raised, rather than just holding meetings.
Local residents of Namdang Tea Estate expressed concern during the awareness programme that drugs, illicit liquor, opium, poppy, hooch, and now gambling have become prevalent issues, leading many youths aged 16 to 28 to ruin themselves.
A local resident of Namdang Tea Estate pointed out that Namdang Tea Estate, Margherita Tea Estate, Dirok Tea Estate, Dehing Tea Estate, Ledo Tea Estate, Segunbari Tea Estate, and other leaf factories have turned into hotspots for drug abuse and other intoxicants, yet effective measures to curb these activities have not been implemented.
Leaders from ATTSA and AASAA appealed to the people of the tea garden areas to remain vigilant and to promptly inform Margherita Police Station and Margherita VDP personnel in case of any problems.
