Jammu and Kashmir: Anti-Drug Drive Sees 296 Peddlers Arrested, 281 Cases Registered

SRINAGAR: Authorities in the Kashmir Valley have reported significant progress in a targeted 100-day campaign against drug abuse, arresting 296 individuals suspected of drug peddling and registering 281 cases. The intensified efforts are part of the “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan,” a time-bound initiative launched to curb the rising menace of illicit trafficking and substance abuse across the Union Territory.

Information was available with The Chenab Times that a high-level review meeting, co-chaired by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir and the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, took place at the Police Control Room in Srinagar. The meeting assessed the implementation and progress of the ongoing campaign, which operates under a zero-tolerance policy towards drug-related offences.

District Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) provided detailed briefings on enforcement operations conducted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Their reports indicated that sustained actions have led to the apprehension of over 296 alleged drug peddlers and the initiation of more than 281 cases throughout the valley. Key areas identified as hotspots for drug trafficking have been targeted for focused interventions.

In addition to enforcement, awareness programmes have been a significant component of the campaign. Approximately 460 such programmes were conducted in educational institutions, local village councils (panchayats), and other vulnerable areas. These initiatives aim to sensitize the public, particularly students, about the detrimental effects of drug abuse.

Enforcement drives have also targeted the illegal cultivation of narcotic substances. Around 15 kanals of land used for such cultivation have been destroyed. Furthermore, several chemist shops found to be in violation of drug sale regulations have been sealed. Investigations have also led to the identification of properties suspected to be linked to drug trafficking, which are now slated for attachment under relevant legal provisions.

District Commissioners presented updates on their respective district-level progress, emphasizing intensified awareness initiatives and coordinated efforts with various line departments. Special attention is being directed towards schools, colleges, and panchayats to bolster preventive measures against drug abuse.

The IGP Kashmir underscored the imperative for sustained, coordinated, and intelligence-led operations among all enforcement agencies to dismantle drug networks operating in the region. He advocated for stringent action against offenders, enhanced financial investigations, the attachment of illicitly acquired properties, and effective prosecution to secure higher conviction rates for drug traffickers.

The campaign encompasses multiple facets, including legal action against offenders, the eradication of illegal cultivation, the identification of trafficking hotspots, widespread awareness generation, and the provision of rehabilitation support for individuals struggling with addiction. The IGP also highlighted the importance of tracking the operational methods of drug networks and increasing public awareness regarding their activities.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir stressed the necessity of a multi-sectoral approach, involving the civil administration, health sector, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. He called for the reinforcement of rehabilitation mechanisms and the expansion of awareness programmes at the grassroots level to ensure a lasting impact on combating drug abuse.

The IGP further elaborated that the “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan” is employing a multi-pronged strategy that includes intensified legal action, the destruction of illicit cultivation, comprehensive awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation measures across the entire Kashmir Valley. The 100-day campaign, initiated under the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, has already spurred coordinated actions across all districts, demonstrating a unified front against the drug menace.

The campaign’s focus extends to dismantling supply chains and precisely identifying drug hotspots. Authorities are committed to detecting and destroying illegal cultivation of poppy and bhang, with intensified financial investigations and property attachments planned. The IGP noted the vital role of societal participation, including the involvement of religious and community leaders, in creating awareness and encouraging people to stay away from drugs. A mega awareness rally is also scheduled, aiming for broad public mobilization and to ensure the campaign’s message permeates all segments of society.

Coordination between the civil administration, police, and other stakeholders is being maintained to ensure the campaign successfully achieves its objective of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.

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