• NCORD Meeting: CS reviews anti-drug measures in J&K
• 3,190 drug cases registered, 4,536 arrested in anti-narcotics drive
• Narco-terrorism crackdown: 39 arrested, properties worth ₹10.36 cr attached
Srinagar, Aug 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating the drug menace, highlighting a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies.
In a recent meeting of the Union Territory’s Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), chaired by Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, significant strides were reported in the ongoing battle against narcotics.
The NCORD meeting underscored the government’s “Zero Tolerance Policy” against drug trafficking, with Dr. Mehta emphasising the need for strengthened institutional structures and enhanced coordination among narcotics agencies.
“We are committed to curbing this menace through a coordinated approach, ensuring no gaps in our enforcement and preventive measures,” he stated.
The J&K Police were directed to prioritise intelligence sharing and rigorous action against drug traffickers. Leveraging information from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the NIDAAN portal, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to tighten the noose around drug peddlers.
The J&K Police have made significant strides in their crackdown on illegal narcotics. Since 2023, a total of 3,190 cases have been registered, resulting in the arrest of 4,536 individuals involved in the drug trade. Authorities have invoked the PIT NDPS Act against drug kingpins, leading to 463 detention orders over the past 18 months. Additionally, commercial quantities of narcotics were seized, with 319 seizures in 2023 and 110 in the first half of 2024.
To ensure the secure disposal of seized drugs, authorities have destroyed 29,306 kg of drugs and 74,179 pharmaceuticals in 2023, with another 4,365 kg of drugs and 26,772 pharmaceuticals incinerated in the first half of 2024.
The linkage between narcotics and terrorism has not gone unnoticed, with authorities cracking down on narco-terror networks. In the past year and a half, 39 individuals have been arrested in 19 cases related to narco-terrorism. The government has also initiated the attachment of properties in NDPS cases to financially cripple drug trafficking networks. Since 2023, the J&K Police have attached properties worth ₹10.36 crore.
To curb the misuse of psychotropic substances, the NCORD has introduced stricter regulations, including a Computerised Billing System (CBS) and CCTV installations across all drug markets.
The Excise Department and district authorities have been tasked with monitoring land used for cultivating contraband substances, resulting in the destruction of illegal poppy and cannabis crops over 9,448 kanals of land in 2023.
On the rehabilitation front, the government has established multiple de-addiction centers, including those managed by the Social Welfare Department and J&K Police. In 2023, these centers recorded 14,180 OPD visits and 1,931 inpatient treatments. The government also instructed strict monitoring of private de-addiction centers, ensuring they meet required standards.
Public awareness campaigns remain a key focus, with over 19,000 programs conducted in 2023 to educate the youth about the dangers of drug abuse. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) has declared 940 Panchayats/Urban Local Bodies as drug-free zones, with ongoing efforts to rehabilitate those involved in substance abuse through skill development and employment generation programs.
The government has instructed the Health and Medical Education Department to integrate rehabilitation measures across various departments for more effective outcomes. District-level NCORD meetings, chaired by District Magistrates, have been held regularly to ensure coordinated efforts in tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse.
“Our mission is clear,” Dr. Mehta asserted. “We will continue to take stringent actions against drug-related crime and support the well-being of our community, reflecting our unwavering commitment to public safety and the disruption of illicit narcotics networks.”
