Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said the state government has intensified its crackdown on narcotics trafficking, border-related crimes, and cyber offences, while asserting that the overall crime rate declined by 8.30 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Addressing the Tripura Police Week celebration, Saha said, “Registration of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act rose by 11.06 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. Seizures of ganja increased by 14.41 percent, cough syrup by 145.73 percent, and narcotic tablets by 26.67 percent during the same period.”
According to him, the destruction of ganja plantations doubled, with a 94.71 percent increase. “To identify and detect ganja plantations, we are taking the assistance of advanced technology and science. Overall seizure and destruction of narcotic substances rose by 92.70 percent, with an estimated value of Rs 1,641.89 crore,” the chief minister said.
On border security, Saha said police were acting as a second line of defence and action was being taken against touts facilitating infiltration. “In 2025, 576 infiltrators and 102 touts were arrested,” he added.
He said several bank accounts linked to cybercrime had been frozen and the cyber police station was being strengthened. “Criminals have changed their modus operandi; technology has to be adopted to fight new-age crimes and criminals,” he said.
Saha said the overall crime rate declined by 8.30 percent in 2025 compared to the preceding year. “The total number of cases dropped from 4,033 in 2024 to 3,698 in 2025, with property-related crimes being among the lowest in the country,” he added.
On crimes against women, the chief minister said the state ranked 11th in terms of the least number of cases reported, with an average of 37.8 cases per one lakh population. “Women help desks have been set up in all police stations, the 1091 women’s helpline has been operationalised, and at least one women police station has been established in each district,” he said.
Saha said road accidents declined by 8.82 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, while deaths due to accidents fell by 13 percent. “Sixteen black spots and 84 accident-prone areas have been identified as part of our measures to ensure zero fatalities due to accidents. We have also introduced interceptors,” he added.
He said around 20 vehicles and more than 100 motorcycles had been flagged off for police use, and 80 more vehicles would be distributed. “Modernisation of the police force, including exploration of artificial intelligence and GPS-enabled systems, is necessary for effective policing,” he said while responding to a query during a press conference.
At the press conference, Saha said the law and order situation had improved and attributed the increase in tourist footfall to better policing. “Political interference in policing has been removed permanently,” he added.
He said police had been instructed to take necessary steps to maintain peace. According to him, the conviction rate increased last year and now stands at a very satisfactory level. The new criminal laws provide a time-bound approach for speedy trials, he added.
Saha also said 500 police personnel donated blood during a camp organised to mark Police Week and that awareness rallies against drug abuse would be conducted across the state.