AGARTALA, November 10 (TIWN Exclusive): In heart of Agartala city, local markets has become a hub of contrabands, narcotics business. On an Exclusive investigation mission by TIWN team on Monday, a large amount of contraband items like drug tablets, phensedyl, correx, drug powders have been found selling in a broad day light in tea stalls at Maharajganj Bazar (Gol Bazar).On the issue of narcotics, no amount of laws seems to be enough to reign in the production and distribution of banned substances due to unholy nexus between smugglers and sections of law enforcement, district administration. The smuggling of Phensedyl, with an exceedingly high dose of codeine gained momentum in the present time and this illegal business through Tripura worth multiple crores. But on Monday during an investigation by TIWN team, a section of people found taking Phensedyl, Corex and drugs in a broad day light at Agartala, Maharajganj Bazar tea stall. It has been found that the tea maker was selling the contraband items at his stall, and people taking the dose right on the spot.

From informed sources,it is clear that Police is well aware of the situation in Maharajganj Bazar, Battala Bazar . But, this is just a tip of the iceberg. The network is very deep-rooted and widespread.but selling of contraband items in a broad daylight in a open market has raised questions with the police and administrative section. It is learnt that police knew about the selling of contraband items in a broad daylight. But the police is playing a role of silent spectator in exchange of weekly bribe.

Large parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar are emerging as drug consuming zones, and bordering areas of Tripura are contributing to the fast-emerging drugs market.  Smugglers based in Tripura are sending these contraband items to Bangladesh virtually by the truckload, hundreds of acres of remote land in West Tripura have become sprawling ganja plantations, the source informed. According to a source, consumption of alcohol is banned in Muslim majority Bangladesh and thus the demand of alternative means like codines is on the rise in the neighbouring country. Numerous smugglers of both sides of border are engaged in illegal trade of Phensedyl as it gives them huge income.

One bottle of Phensedyl costs about Rs 90, but it is sold at Taka 600 or more in Bangladesh. The source added that complete fencing of Tripura’s 856km boundary with Bangladesh would prevent smuggling menace. Barbed wire fencing already completed along three fourth of international border in state and work of wire fencing is slow due to protests by local residents, geographical barriers or demarcation row with Bangladesh, the source added.

However, TIWN’s Exclusive investigation on Monday must ring bells for the police to jump into action and  trace dealers, stopping sale of contraband items in open markets.

Drug busniess in open daylight in heart of Agartala. Picture taken at Gol Bazar, Agartala. TIWN Pic Nov 10