Ledo residents seek action against drug traffickers in mass protest

Dibrugarh: Residents of Ledo town in Tinsukia district staged a significant protest on Wednesday, calling for stringent measures against drug traffickers and peddlers operating in the area. The demonstration, organized by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) alongside Ledo Nari Samaj and local students, highlighted concerns over the alleged resurgence of drug activities under the jurisdiction of Margherita police station and Ledo police outpost.The protest procession, led by AJYCP Tinsukia district vice-president Kanchan Bora, began at Ledo Tiniali and moved through the town’s main streets. Demonstrators carried placards and banners, voicing their dissatisfaction with what they described as police inaction in addressing the drug issue.“Previously arrested drug dealers and peddlers are openly resuming their illegal drugs business after coming out of jail on bail. This shows a clear failure on the part of the police. The availability of drugs is destroying the future of our young generation. The police are not doing anything to stop them,” Bora stated during the protest.Members of Ledo Nari Samaj expressed alarm over the increasing number of school and college students falling victim to drug addiction. Smritilekha Baruah, a representative of the women's group, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We see children as young as teenagers getting trapped in drugs. Parents are helpless while traffickers operate freely. Our students and youngsters are falling prey to drugs because they are easily available in our areas. This is destroying the future of our community. It’s time the police take strong and sustained action.”The protesters called for regular crackdowns, strict monitoring of suspected locations, and expedited trials for those involved in the drug trade. At the end of the demonstration, the group submitted a memorandum to Margherita Co-District Commissioner Rahul Doley, urging immediate intervention and increased accountability from law enforcement authorities.