Kulgam Police, in collaboration with revenue authorities, has successfully retrieved approximately ₹1 crore worth of state land from an alleged drug peddler in the Devsar area of Kulgam district, South Kashmir. The action was carried out as part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan,’ a state-wide campaign against drug abuse.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the retrieved land, measuring 05 Kanals and 12 Marlas located in Malwan village under Khasra No. 697 min, was under the illegal occupation of Shahzad Ahmad Paddar, son of Gull Mohammad Paddar, a resident of Malwan. Paddar is reportedly involved in a case registered under FIR No. 40/2020, pertaining to Sections 8/20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, at Police Station Devsar.
The retrieved land, which includes orchards, has an estimated market value of around ₹1 crore. The joint operation by Kulgam Police and the Revenue Department underscores sustained efforts to dismantle the operational networks and financial infrastructure supporting drug trafficking activities. Officials stated that this action is a significant step in curbing the narcotics trade and recovering assets linked to it.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, Anayat Ali Choudhary, affirmed that the Kulgam Police will continue to pursue stringent actions against drug peddlers. He reiterated the commitment to dealing with all illegal assets, encroachments, and proceeds of crime associated with the narcotics trade under the established legal framework. The SSP emphasized that the force is determined to bring all individuals involved in such illicit activities to justice.
Furthermore, the police have appealed to the general public to come forward and share any information they may possess regarding drug peddling activities or illegal encroachments. Assurances of complete confidentiality have been provided to informants, along with a commitment to taking strict legal action against offenders based on verified intelligence. This initiative aims to foster community participation in combating the drug menace and reclaiming encroached state land.
The Chenab Times News Desk