Agartala: Nov 02. The Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress (TPYC) has lodged a formal complaint with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, alleging that the Indian Railways network is being misused for smuggling narcotics, cough syrup, and other illicit substances into the state.
In a letter signed by TPYC President Neel Kamal Saha, the organisation expressed “deep pain, concern, and resentment” over what it termed an alarming situation where the railways, once seen as a “symbol of progress,” has allegedly become a conduit for destruction among the state’s youth.
“We never imagined that the railway system which once brought hope of development would turn into a means of importing drugs and narcotics in tons into our small, peaceful state,” the letter reads.
Citing a recent seizure at Jirania Railway Station on October 15, 2025, the TPYC claimed that two rail wagons (Nos. 30030010892 and 31032457043) were caught “red-handed” by security forces while carrying banned substances including Fencidil cough syrup. The letter further alleged that despite the bust, no arrests have been made so far.
The TPYC accused “leaders of the ruling BJP government” and “dishonest merchants and brokers” of being part of the network, claiming the police have been reluctant to act out of fear or political pressure.
The organisation also levelled serious allegations against railway authorities, saying the Railways’ cooperation would be impossible to bypass in such large-scale smuggling operations.
“Neither you nor your department have shown any efficiency to identify or punish the offenders,” the letter to the Railway Minister stated, questioning the department’s “involvement or negligence.”
The Youth Congress demanded the immediate arrest of all culprits linked to the racket and called for “exemplary punishment” to send a message against drug peddling in the region.
Tripura has witnessed several major narcotics seizures in recent months, with opposition parties blaming the government for turning the state into a drug corridor of Southeast Asia.
