The tragic demise of a young drug addict has once again exposed the deadly danger that countless youths in Tripura find themselves helplessly entangled in.
With a heavy heart burdened by grief, a father of the deceased youth pleaded earnestly to all those drug addicts, urging them to break free from the clutches of this deadly drug menace. He implored them not to succumb to the snares set by these “killer” drug peddlers.
Amal Debnath, a 27-year-old young man, was known to be ensnared by the clutches of addiction. Emerging from a modest lower-middle-class family, Amal, the sole son of his parents, resided in East Noagaon under Ranirbazar in West Tripura District, while his sisters were married off.
According to his father, Amal’s descent into the abyss began around 5-6 years ago with ganja, only to spiral further into the realm of injected substances.
Amidst their humble circumstances, Amal’s parents, driven by unwavering love, made countless valiant attempts to help their son overcome his demons. They sought out various medical treatment programs with their hearts clinging to the hope of transforming his life. Despite their tireless efforts and steadfast support, all their endeavors proved futile, leaving them devastated and feeling utterly powerless.
“I witnessed my son’s pitiful state when he would desperately yearn for the injection drugs. The doctors at Narsingarh Rehabilitation Centre did everything in their power, but my son never found solace and fully recovered,” expressed the grief-stricken father, his voice heavy with profound sadness.
Recalling the memories, Amal’s father shared how ferocious his son would become when denied money for purchasing drugs.
“With my hard-earned money, I bought him a motorbike. However, he swiftly sold it to fuel his addiction. He worked as a coconut or betel nut tree cleaner, earning a meager sum of Rs 200 per tree. On days when he failed to gather enough money, he would exert immense pressure on us to provide him with the funds for the drugs. In those moments, he appeared so pitiable,” the father sorrowfully recounted.
The morning of May 19th came to Amal’s father with a unspeakable shock and horrifying sight. His only child, lifeless, sat motionless in their home. Amal appeared as though he was merely sleeping, a towel wrapped around his neck.
“I cannot ascertain whether it was suicide or a natural demise. Regardless of the cause, the reality is that I have lost my one and only son,” he lamented, his voice filled with immeasurable sorrow.
With a heart heavy with grief, Amal’s father unleashed his anger upon the drug sellers who cunningly entice vulnerable youth into a web of destruction. He said, despite the relentless efforts of the police and administration against drug addiction, these traders remain unscathed, continuing to inflict harm upon society.
He demanded swift and resolute action against these drug peddlers who silently “snuff out our sons’ lives” for their own selfish financial gains.