Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Feb 8: Jammu and Kashmir police has tightened its noose on the drug peddlers by booking the big sharks under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act as it has seized movable and immovable properties of those involved in drug trade besides freezing a large amount of cash. The police move has evoked a great response from all sections of the society with people hailing the move widely.
Figures available suggest that 15 vehicles and gold coins worth Rs 10.66 lakh were recovered and seized in 2023. “Of this, four vehicles were seized from the Jammu region with cash worth Rs 28. 10 lakh was also freezed,” the figures reveal.
Similarly, while continuing its war against narcotics, seven houses and 21.5 malras of land was seized in Kashmir where Rs 238 lakh were also freezed. “Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) also seized one house and four malras of land in Kashmir last year,” the figures reveal.
In total, 15 vehicles and gold coins worth Rs 10.66 lakh were seized under NDPS in 2023 besides eight houses and 21.9 malras land also attached under NDPS. “In total, cash worth Rs 296 lakh were recovered and freezed,” the figures reveal.
A senior police official said that along with the NDPS, police are acting tough against big fish involved in supplying and distributing drugs among youth in J&K. “Special police teams have been constituted to crack the gangs and nexus among suppliers and dealers. Focus is to ensure stern punishment those involved in spreading this poison among youth of J&K,” he said, wishing not to be named.
From seizing the properties including movable or immovable and freezing the cash earned out of the sale of narcotics, NDPS act is coming handy in dealing with the narcotics dealers, suppliers and distributors. “We want to set an example by ensuring the stern punishment to those involved in this drug trade so that it is rooted out from the society forever,” he officer said.
After last year’s success, police teams continue their efforts of reaching out to the big fish to crack the whip on the narco-terrorism in J&K. Meanwhile, locals have hailed the police action against drug abuse in J&K stating those involved in the supply chain should be booked under NDPS and sternly punished. “As far as this action is concerned, we are with the police every time. Our support is for the police as drug menace is eating our young population. Youth are falling prey to drugs at a great speed. Booking big fish under NDPS is a great move,” a group of people from Srinagar’s downtown said.
Similarly, locals from various district headquarters of Kashmir hailed the police move of going tough against drug suppliers and stated that drug supply should be plugged and those involved in it be strictly punished. “We appreciate the police for using NDPS as a big tool against the narco-smugglers. We are ready to support the police in breaking the nexus between suppliers and distributors. It’s a time for a collective effort to root out drug abuse from Kashmir,” a group of elder people from Baramulla and Kupwara districts said.
