‘1,941 arrested, properties worth Rs 154 cr attached’
By: Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Nov 05: Police have arrested 1,941 persons and attached properties worth approximately Rs 154 crore in a major crackdown on drug trafficking across Kashmir Zone during the first 10 months of 2026, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar, said on Thursday, urging youngsters to join the fight against drug addiction, cybercrime and traffic violations.
Addressing his first press conference since taking over as IGP Kashmir at Police Control Room Srinagar, Kumar said police had registered 1,651 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between January 1 and October 31, recovering 1,711.32 kilograms of contraband and cash worth around Rs 1.10 crore.
He said 567 bank accounts linked to NDPS cases, involving approximately Rs 1.71 crore, had been frozen as part of efforts to dismantle the financial networks of drug traffickers.
Police also destroyed illicit crops spread over 2,116.3 kanals, registered 260 FIRs related to illegal cultivation and arrested 284 persons. Under Section 52-A of the NDPS Act, 4,355.74 kilograms of contraband were destroyed, along with 4,808 bottles of codeine phosphate, 20,163 tablets and capsules and 482 litres of liquor.
Calling for greater public participation, Kumar said the challenges confronting society could not be addressed through police action alone and required the active involvement of youngsters, families and civil society.
“Police are with you. I assure you that my team and the entire Kashmir Zone Police will support you. The youth must come forward and play a positive role in this fight,” he said.
Urging youngsters recovering from drug addiction not to suffer in silence, the IGP said they could approach any police station or the police-run drug rehabilitation centre for assistance without fear of their identities being disclosed.
He also appealed to recovering victims to share their experiences through videos and awareness messages, saying their stories could inspire others to stay away from substance abuse and seek help.
Assuring confidentiality to those providing information about drug peddling, Kumar said police would extend all possible assistance to people willing to contribute to the campaign against narcotics.
On cybercrime, he cautioned youngsters against becoming part of organised online fraud networks, particularly those using mule bank accounts to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
Police received 12,385 financial fraud complaints involving Rs 54.66 crore during the 10-month period. Of this amount, Rs 7.48 crore, or 13.68 per cent, was recovered or saved through police intervention. A total of 93 FIRs were registered, including seven cases involving mule bank accounts.
Kumar urged youngsters not to share their bank accounts with fraudsters or participate in suspicious financial transactions, describing such activities as a betrayal of fellow citizens.
Expressing concern over rash driving, speeding, reckless biking and modified motorcycles, he said such violations endangered lives and caused inconvenience to the public, particularly pedestrians and elderly people.
During daytime enforcement from September 1 to October 31, police checked 15,47,890 vehicles and 7,65,851 persons. As many as 17,702 vehicles were seized, while 989 persons were arrested or bound down, including 211 bound down.
The drive also led to the recovery of Rs 7.28 lakh in cash and the seizure of various narcotics, including 13.76 kilograms of charas, 262.5 grams of heroin, 103.51 kilograms of cannabis, 39.65 kilograms of ganja, 17.06 kilograms of bhung, 680 grams of brown sugar and 5.29 kilograms of poppy straw.
Night enforcement was intensified across districts from October 17 to November 4, during which police checked 2,67,214 vehicles and seized 2,211 vehicles, besides impounding 80 outside-registered vehicles.
Police also initiated action in 2,275 cases of helmetless riding, 590 cases of rash driving, 545 instances of triple riding and 15 pressure-horn violations. Ten pressure horns were seized, while 1,480 other enforcement actions were recorded.
The IGP appealed to youngsters to follow traffic rules, avoid using mobile phones while driving, refrain from improper parking and desist from using loud motorcycles during night hours.
Referring to a recent Srinagar Police initiative, he appreciated a youngster who had uploaded a video showing reckless driving but later acknowledged his mistake and urged others not to repeat such behaviour.
Kumar said social media should be used to spread awareness against drug addiction and irresponsible driving rather than promote dangerous activities.
Reiterating his appeal for collective action, he said the younger generation had a crucial role in building a responsible society and assured police support to those willing to bring positive change.
Kumar, a 2007-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, assumed charge as IGP Kashmir Zone in August 2026, succeeding V K Birdi. (KNO)
