Dealing with narcotics remains challenging. According to officials, a total of 1850 cases were registered last year as regards drug menace.
2756 involved persons were arrested. This year 1410 cases till June have been registered and 2068 persons arrested in the FIRs.
This year, as per officials, 251.42 Kgs of Charas, 124.47 Kgs of Heroin/Brown Sugar, 92.24 Kgs of Ganja, 3374.69 Kgs of Fuki/Poppy straw, 105588 Caps/Tabs/Injections/Bottles of contraband substances were seized under the NDPS Act up to June this year.
Besides, officials said, in order to plug any loopholes on part of administration, action has been taken against IOs/prosecution in NDPS cases which have been dismissed by the trial courts for any shortcomings or discrepancies during investigation. A total of 95 cases from J&K have been identified so far out of which 74 have been referred to ADGP Jammu and 21 were referred to ADGP Kashmir for taking action against erring officials. While efforts by the administration are welcome, more is needed to get rid of the drug menace from society.
In this context, the Chief Secretary’s announcement that Districts, Municipalities and Panchayats registering outstanding performance in dealing with narcotics would be suitably rewarded by the Administration is welcome.
There is a need to take all the measures to eradicate the evil in its entirety and for it, fool proof system needs to be put in place to convert most of the arrests into convictions. As has been pointed out by the highest civil officer, there is need for framing well thought out guidelines for declaring the Panchayats as ‘Drug Free’ in consultation with different agencies like PRI members, Police, Health, Education, RDD, Revenue and Social Welfare Departments.
In order to ensure that the illicit trade of drug trafficking is curbed effectively, he said, the Police and District administration need to attach the properties of drug dealers as provided under the relevant rules governing it. He observed that the wrongdoers need to be dealt with iron hand to save the youth from becoming prey to their nefarious designs.
The educational institutions also need to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity there to local police for investigation so that the Schools and Colleges do not become victims of such immorality.
Also, there is need for focus on drug de-addiction centres. The concerned agencies must get to the “big fish” and it should be targeted on priority.