In a crackdown on the sale of banned drugs to youths, licenses of five chemist shops have been suspended by the licensing authority in Doda. The action was taken after a report/recommendation was prepared by the Doda Police, and forwarded to the concerned licensing authority. The shops were found to be selling intoxicating/habit-forming drugs to the youth of the area.
According to police statement issued to The Chenab Times, the Chemist Shop of one Ishtiaq Ahmed Batt, located near Mandir Market in Bhaderwah town, was raided by a police team after specific information was received that he was selling banned drugs to the youth. During the search, some scheduled drugs in suspicious condition were found by the police team, and his shop was sealed in the presence of Executive Magistrate 1st Class Bhaderwah for further appropriate action.
It is worth mentioning that a case FIR No. 170/2014 U/S 08/21/22 NDPS Act was also registered against Ishtiaq Ahmed Batt earlier for his involvement in selling banned drugs to the youth, and the case was challaned against him in the court of law after completion of investigation. Consequently, the license of his chemist shop was suspended for illegal trade practice by the Drugs Control Officer Doda, on the report/recommendation of Doda Police.
The licenses of four other chemist shops, namely M/S Manhas Medical Shop Dandi Bhaderwah, M/S Malik Drug Store Khellani Doda, M/S Javid Medical Hall Kahara Gandoh, and M/S Mir Medicate near PHC Bhalla Bhaderwah have also been suspended by the licensing authority on the report/recommendation of Doda Police for selling intoxicating/habit-forming drugs to the youth of the area.
Doda Police has urged all owners of chemist shops running in the district to desist from selling intoxicating/habit-forming drugs to youths, which is spoiling their career and eating their vitals. They have warned that if any owner of a chemist shop is found selling such drugs to the youth, stern action will be initiated, which includes attachment of moveable/immoveable property, detention under PSA besides registration of FIR against such black traders.
The Chenab Times News Desk