Pijush Hazarika spots ‘anomalies’ at rehab centre, warns of action

Guwahati, Sept 1: Social justice and empowerment minister of Assam, Pijush Hazarika today detected irregularities in the functioning of a private rehabilitation centre here in the city and warned the authorities of strict action for not having proper facilities in the centre.

During a sudden visit to the rehabilitation centre, namely Peace Wellness Foundation, Hazarika was taken aback by the lack of even the slightest facility for the inmates there.

Noticing that there were no healthcare facilities available at the centre, the minister directed the joint director of health services to conduct a health check-up of the inmates at the earliest.

In view of allegations of a section of people running a drug racket at the rehabilitation centre Hazarika further directed the police to strictly monitor the centre for the next three days. 

“If so many people are kept in an unhealthy environment, the physical and mental condition of drug addicts will only get worse,” the minister later informed media persons. 

Stating that the government will soon frame a policy to run the rehabilitation centres in the state, Hazarika said that they would not be allowed to function only for commercial purposes.On the other hand, the minister said that as a first step, he would hold discussions with the authorities of all rehabilitation centres in Guwahati on Saturday.

“No one will be allowed plunder in the name of running a rehabilitation centre in Assam and put youths, who want to come out of drug addiction, in trouble,” the minister said.