Deb urges north east CMs for steps to make region drugs-free

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today urged chief ministers of north-eastern states to work towards making the region free of drugs.

During the second day of the 67th North East Council Plenary Meeting at Shillong, Deb discussed the need of expanding the vision of 'Drugs Free Tripura' into 'Drugs Free North East', an official release said.

He called upon the chief ministers of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur to take "corrective measures" and check cross-border movement of drugs, it said.

Deb also made a request to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for strengthening Central forces in the north-eastern region.

"BSF has been playing a proactive role in checking illicit drug trade in Tripura. It can pro-actively ensure the prevention of illegal drug trade in the NE region," he said.

Deb, on the first day of the meeting yesterday, spoke on the need of creating "iconic students", while speaking about "iconic institutes".

"It will take time for iconic institutes to come up in the north-east, but our students must be given an opportunity to witness the best educational institutes in India by undertaking regular tours," he said.