# Hundreds rally in Jorhat, demand crackdown on drug abuse 2026-08-21T13:27:07+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hundreds of students led by the All Assam Student Union (AASU) and Asom Sena marched through Jorhat on Friday, demanding a complete crackdown on the drug menace and the dismantling of supply networks in the district. The protesters carried placards and shouted slogans for a 'drug-free Jorhat', urging authorities to take stringent action against peddlers and suppliers. Asom Sena chief convenor Bijoy Shankar Bordoloi alleged that drug peddlers and users had defamed Jorhat, known for its cultural heritage. He said the problem had grown despite multiple complaints to authorities, blaming lax enforcement at some police stations. Bordoloi cited the killing of student leader Animesh Bhuyan near Sadar Police Station, involving youths allegedly under the influence of drugs. Bordoloi recalled a previous assurance by then DGP GP Singh to make Jorhat drug-free, but claimed drug use had risen in four years. He alleged that a Jorhat MLA had reported police involvement with peddlers in 2025, but no action followed. He called for strengthening the NDPS Act, noting that suppliers often return to the trade after bail, and urged community-based anti-drug committees in every panchayat and ward. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The rally reflects growing public frustration in Assam's cultural hub over the drug crisis, which has been linked to rising crime and youth deaths. The NDPS Act, often criticised for weak enforcement, allows bail for minor offences, enabling repeat offences. Jorhat's proximity to the Myanmar border makes it a transit point for narcotics. The next step to watch is whether the Assam government responds with a legislative review or increased policing, as student groups have threatened further protests if action is not taken. ## Coverage - assamtribune.com Straight news agency style reporting with no discernible slant, simply quoting the organiser's allegations and demands. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: All Assam Student Union, Asom Sena, Jorhat, NDPS Act Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/hundreds-rally-in-jorhat-demand-crackdown-on-drug-abuse/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/hundreds-rally-in-jorhat-demand-crackdown-on-drug-abuse/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/