| War on drugs: 220 hotspots mapped, 33 dismantled across J&K | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 2: In a major step toward curbing the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have identified 220 drug hotspots across the Union Territory, of which 33 have already been dismantled as part of intensified enforcement operations.
This was revealed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Crime, Sujit Kumar, during the 14th UT-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The meeting was convened to review and assess the UT’s ongoing strategy to tackle narcotics trade and substance abuse.
Presenting the operational progress of the Police Department, IGP Sujit Kumar informed that 1,032 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act have been registered so far this year, leading to the arrest of 1,416 individuals. Law enforcement agencies also seized over 1,388 kilograms of narcotics and more than 62,000 psychotropic tablets.
In addition, 181 cases under the PIT-NDPS Act were registered, resulting in the arrest of 58 key drug traffickers through extensive backward and forward link investigations. The identified 220 hotspots included 20 newly flagged areas, and operations in these zones resulted in 413 arrests.
The crackdown has also led to significant financial interventions. Authorities took property attachment actions in 45 cases, which included 35 buildings and 13 vehicles used in the drug trade. The total value of frozen or seized assets reached ₹39 crore, with corresponding entries made in land revenue records to strengthen legal proceedings.
To bolster enforcement capacity, 247 specialized training sessions were organized, training over 2,150 Investigation Officers (IOs) in modern methods of handling NDPS cases to ensure higher conviction rates.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stressed the importance of comprehensive and time-bound investigations, stating that the In addition, 181 cases under the PIT-NDPS Act were registered, resulting in the arrest of 58 key drug traffickers through extensive backward and forward link investigations.
Calling for enhanced accountability, the Chief Secretary asked for joint review of bail and acquittal cases by the Police and Law Departments to uncover lapses or weaknesses in investigations and prosecutions.
On the healthcare front, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need to strengthen de-addiction services, particularly in Government Medical Colleges and District Hospitals. He directed the Health Department to expand in-patient de-addiction infrastructure and improve the capacity of medical and paramedical staff at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) to widen the reach of rehabilitation services.
Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, called for pooling of all available human and material resources to counter the drug menace holistically. He flagged concerns over the misuse of courier services for trafficking Schedule-I drugs and suggested stricter surveillance and regulatory controls.
Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandrakar Bharti presented a detailed data analysis from the NCORD portal and urged Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to hold regular district-level NCORD meetings. He stressed the importance of timely uploading of agendas, minutes, and action-taken reports, and provided a district-wise breakdown of NDPS cases under investigation, challaned, or pending in courts.
The meeting reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to combat drug abuse through coordinated law enforcement, legal, and healthcare responses, aiming for a safer and drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. |
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