||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh August 15,2024||

SRINAGAR :The Jammu and Kashmir government has intensified its efforts to combat the misuse of drugs and narcotics, a pervasive issue with significant health, social, and economic impacts. The Union Territory (UT) administration is committed to a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, enforcement, treatment, and rehabilitation, alongside a robust Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategy.

The government’s efforts are coordinated through the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism, with regular meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary. The recent 10th UT-level NCORD meeting reaffirmed the commitment to a “Zero Tolerance Policy” against drug trafficking, emphasizing strengthened institutional structures, improved inter-agency coordination, and extensive public awareness campaigns.

Law Enforcement Achievements:

The J&K Police have made significant strides in cracking down on the narcotics trade. Since 2023, 3,190 cases have been registered, and 4,536 individuals have been arrested. The enforcement agencies have invoked the PIT NDPS Act against key figures in the drug trade, resulting in 463 detention orders over the past 18 months. This crackdown has led to substantial seizures of narcotics, including 319 seizures of commercial quantities in 2023 and 110 in the first half of 2024. Additionally, 29,306 kg of drugs and 74,179 pharmaceuticals were destroyed in 2023, with 4,365 kg of drugs and 26,772 pharmaceuticals incinerated in the first half of 2024.

Addressing Narco-Terrorism Linkages:

Recognizing the link between narcotics and terrorism, the government has intensified its efforts to dismantle narco-terror networks, leading to the arrest of 39 individuals in 19 cases over the past 18 months. To further disrupt these networks, law enforcement agencies have been directed to attach properties involved in NDPS cases. Since 2023, assets worth Rs. 10.36 crores, including residential properties, land, and vehicles, have been seized.

Enhanced Regulation and Monitoring:

The UT-level NCORD has also focused on stricter regulation of psychotropic substances, implementing a Computerized Billing System (CBS) and mandating CCTV installations across drug markets. The Excise Department and district authorities have been instructed to monitor and take action against illicit cultivation of contraband substances. In 2023, law enforcement agencies destroyed illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation across 9,448 kanals of land.

Commitment to Rehabilitation and Awareness:

On the rehabilitation front, the government has established multiple drug de-addiction centers. In 2023, these centers provided 14,180 outpatient and 1,931 inpatient treatments. In 2024, until June, they treated 5,318 outpatients and 561 inpatients. The UT NCORD has mandated strict monitoring of de-addiction centers and instructed the Health and Medical Education Department to explore additional resources for these facilities.

The government is also conducting mass awareness programs, having organized 19,008 events in 2023. The “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” (NMBA) has declared 940 Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as drug-free zones.

Ongoing Efforts and Community Engagement:

District-level NCORD meetings are regularly held under the chairmanship of District Magistrates to ensure better coordination in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse. In 2023 alone, 193 such meetings were convened.

The government’s resolve to combat drug-related crime and support community well-being remains unwavering, reflecting its strong commitment to public safety and disrupting illicit narcotics networks.