Srinagar, April 22: Police has intensified its crackdown against narcotics across multiple districts of the valley, destroying illegal poppy cultivation, attaching properties acquired through drug proceeds, arresting peddlers, and stepping up awareness campaigns under the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan.”
In Anantnag’s Dooru area, police destroyed illegally cultivated poppy during routine patrolling and targeted operations.
In one case, poppy was found in the orchard of a resident of Mirgund and was destroyed on the spot, with a case registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. In separate actions at Jaibal Shankerpora and Zaldoora, police teams, accompanied by Executive Magistrates and officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, destroyed standing poppy crops cultivated on private land. FIRs were registered in each case and investigations have been initiated, Police said.
Continuing its enforcement drive, police in Shopian district attached a double-storey residential house valued at over Rs 31 lakh in Vishroo Payeen Keller. The property, linked to a narcotics case registered earlier this year, was identified as being acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking.
The attachment was carried out in the presence of a police team, Executive Magistrate, and local representatives to ensure legal compliance and transparency, police said.
In a separate operation in Shopian, police destroyed illegal poppy cultivation in the Sadipora area after receiving specific intelligence inputs.
Meanwhile, enforcement efforts were complemented by intensified checking and surveillance in Baramulla, where police, in coordination with the canine unit, established checkpoints at strategic locations.
Vehicles and passengers were subjected to thorough searches with the assistance of trained sniffer dogs to detect narcotics and deter drug peddling.
Police also said that four drug peddlers were arrested in Handwara, Kupwara and Budgam. In Handwara, a suspect was apprehended at a checkpoint and found in possession of a charas-like substance.
In Kupwara, two individuals were arrested at Wayen with a heroin-like substance recovered during searches. Preliminary investigations suggest their involvement in drug trafficking.
In Budgam’s Magam area, another accused was held with approximately 155 grams of charas concealed in corn husks, and the vehicle used in the commission of the offence was seized. Cases have been registered at the respective police stations.
In Pulwama, police intensified enforcement against illegal pharmaceutical practices alongside awareness campaigns. During a joint inspection with the Drug Control Authority, two chemist shops were sealed for violating provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Police said anti-drug rallies and awareness programmes were also organised across educational institutions, including an event at an institute in Newa, where students and staff participated in discussions on substance abuse.
Similar awareness initiatives were conducted in Shopian, Ganderbal and Sopore, where police organised programmes in schools, colleges and communities. Students, teachers and civil society members participated in interactive sessions highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse and the legal consequences of involvement in narcotics-related activities. Participants were encouraged to act as ambassadors of change and promote a drug-free lifestyle.
In Ganderbal, officers addressed students at Government Engineering College Safapora, stressing collective responsibility in tackling the growing menace of drugs. In Sopore, outreach programmes were held in collaboration with the education department and local bodies, witnessing active community participation.
Adding to the crackdown, the Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam issued a public advisory urging residents to voluntarily destroy any poppy cultivation within 24 hours, warning of strict legal action under the NDPS Act for non-compliance.
On April 11, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign, which is aimed at hitting the drug cartels at the grassroots level.