March 14, 2024 6:16 PM.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Director General of Police, R R Swain today said that narco-trade is emerging as a major challenge and the police and other security forces need to “dig the tunnel from both ends” to deal with it effectively. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the Police Chief said the drug trade is emerging as a major challenge and it has to be addressed properly.
The DGP was speaking after inaugurating the Drug De-Addiction and Mental Rehabilitation Centre at Channi-Himat, Jammu. The Top Cop said while on the one hand police will crack the whip on dealers and suppliers by resorting to seizure of properties under UAPA, on the other hand, there is a need to address the issue of demand as well as those demanding the drugs.
The Police Chief further said, for us the addict is a victim, adding that dealing with the growing narcotics business in J&K is a tough job but the police are committed to handling it. He further said that the way we dealt with the terror ecosystem by action against those providing shelter, transporting terrorists and giving them other logistics, a similar strategy is for those involved in the narcotics business.
The DGP said J&K is a “border State” which lies on the western side of the country, the huge consignments of drugs like heroin and Brown Sugar are coming from the neighbouring country. But we will not allow J&K to become Punjab. He further said that there are 10 drug de-addiction centres of police operating at present and some private players are also involved in it.
These centres are less compared to the number of addicts. The Top Cop further said that police will assess where it stands at present and where it will stand in 2025.