Srinagar police seize narcotics and freeze traffickers’ assets in a sweeping anti-drug crackdown to safeguard Kashmir’s youth (PTI)
The security agencies are still greatly engaged in their mission against terrorism, and the vigour of the Srinagar police has opened up yet another front: a vigorous drive against drug abuse as well as trafficking. This campaign has resulted in 97 arrests and the filing of 73 cases in the last three months, indicating a considerable escalation in enforcement.
Intelligence sources speculate that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, which has been on the wane with local youth recruitment for militancy, now directs another effort of narcotics push into Kashmir to gradually debilitate its younger generation from within.
Because of strict policing, heroin is virtually unavailable to many addicted persons, and they now use medical opioids. According to Dr. Mohammad Muzaffar Khan, who runs a local de-addiction Centre, there has been an enormous increase in the use of narcotic analgesics.
"These are mostly bought illegally or through smuggling from cities like Delhi or Amritsar," Khan said. A strip worth ₹150 fetches black market prices of over ₹800.
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Addiction forms have changed over the past decade-from local cannabis and charas to heroin and now to synthetic medical opioids.
The seizure amounts reported between April and July include 3.57 kg of brown sugar, 1.73 kg of heroin, 203.43 kg of charas, 11.95 kg of fuki, and more than huge seized besides psychoactive tablets. In addition, authorities have frozen 29 bank accounts and attached six vehicles and nine houses belonging to traffickers.
A total of 21 persons has been apprehended under PIT-NDPS Act; three drug hubs have been dismantled; and in 67 cases, charge sheets have been filed. Police have also moved ahead to challenge bail orders and prosecutorial lapses with departmental inquiries against negligent officers.
Behind numbers, there are poignant stories. Recovered addicts speak of years lost to dependence, businesses ruined, and families broken. They now work with police officers and counselors to educate young minds against drugs.
"This campaign does not just focus on law enforcement," said Srinagar police spokesperson. "It protects the future of our youth."
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