Stringent enforcement, faster prosecution, robust rehabilitation key to curb drug menace: CS

Srinagar, May 5: The 17th Union Territory-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was Tuesday chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who undertook a comprehensive review of the Union Territory’s performance in stringent enforcement of drug laws, prosecution of offenders, and treatment and rehabilitation of victims affected by substance abuse.
The meeting was attended by the Director General, Police; Director General, Prosecution; Principal Secretary, Home; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; and other senior civil and police officers, while Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police from all districts participated through video conferencing.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary laid emphasis on strengthening the legal framework and plugging procedural gaps in handling NDPS cases. He directed the Law Department to explore the feasibility of recording statements of in-service witnesses through video conferencing, particularly in cases where officials are transferred outside their districts, to ensure continuity and avoid delays in trials. Stressing accountability, he called for a thorough analysis of acquittals in NDPS cases and fixing responsibility wherever investigative or procedural lacunae are identified.
Highlighting the need for a more impactful enforcement strategy, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of investigating both backward and forward linkages in drug trafficking cases and actively challenging bail orders to enhance deterrence. He called for a well-defined strategy to dismantle drug peddling networks, with strict action against identified offenders by law enforcement agencies.
Advocating a broader approach, he stressed the use of non-kinetic measures against violators, including cancellation of driving licences, passports, and vehicle registrations, besides scrutiny of financial transactions through bank accounts to choke illicit proceeds.
He also emphasized capacity building in the rehabilitation ecosystem, directing for the training of a large pool of counsellors to be made available across schools, colleges, Primary Health Centres, and at the block level through trained Self-Help Group members.
The Chief Secretary further directed the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) to create a pool of master trainers, ensuring at least three to four trained resource persons per district, supplemented with periodic refresher courses to continuously upgrade their skills.
The Chief Secretary also enjoined upon Deputy Commissioners to ensure the functionality of inpatient (IPD) facilities in drug de-addiction centres in all district hospitals and asked the Health Department to strictly adhere to protocols for the availability of essential medicines at all health institutions.
Additionally, he called for strict action in cases involving seizure of vehicles under Section 52A of the NDPS Act to ensure effective enforcement of legal provisions.
On the occasion, Commissioner Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi, gave a detailed presentation on the incidence and categorization of NDPS cases across districts, highlighting trends in intermediate and commercial quantity cases. He elaborated on delays in disposal of such cases, the ratio of cases instituted versus those disposed of in special NDPS courts, and the stages at which these cases are pending. He also suggested a series of remedial measures aimed at reducing backlog and ensuring expeditious disposal of cases.
Earlier, IGP Crime, Sarah Rizvi presented a comprehensive overview of enforcement efforts, acquittals, and actions taken by law enforcement agencies to combat the drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir.
She informed that during 2026 so far, 542 NDPS cases have been registered across police stations, leading to the arrest of 716 individuals and seizure of 640 kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately Rs 18.49 Cr.
She further highlighted that the current year has witnessed a significant rise in cases involving commercial quantities, with 31 such cases registered compared to 19 during the corresponding period last year. Details of major FIRs and seizures linked to interstate drug cartels were also shared during the meeting.
The meeting was informed that a total of 10,956 NDPS cases are pending across various courts, including 6,156 cases in five Special NDPS Courts. In 2025, 1,991 cases were instituted while 483 were disposed of. It was further revealed that prosecution had challenged 91 bail orders in 2025 and 57 in 2026 so far in intermediate and commercial quantity cases.
Regarding convictions, the figures stood at 135 in 2024, 140 in 2025, and 23 in 2026 till date. Out of 1,435 prosecution witnesses who attended court proceedings, 839 were examined, while 596 returned without examination due to various reasons, indicating areas needing procedural improvement, the meeting was apprised.
The meeting also noted that in 24 cases, backward and forward linkages were successfully established, leading to attachment of properties worth Rs 53.77 lakh and freezing of bank accounts amounting to Rs 22.63 lakh. Non-kinetic measures were also actively pursued, with 489 driving licences recommended for cancellation and 700 vehicle registrations for suspension between January and March this year due to their involvement in illicit activities.
The participants held detailed deliberations on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing rehabilitation measures for affected individuals, and ensuring speedy disposal of cases to secure maximum punishment for offenders, thereby creating an effective deterrent against drug trafficking and abuse in the Union Territory.