Srinagar, Nov 5: Police have registered over 1600 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 1,941 people and attached properties worth Rs 154 crore in Kashmir this year, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Sujit Kumar said on Thursday.
‎Addressing a press conference, IGP said police have intensified action against drug trafficking, cyber fraud and dangerous driving, identifying the three as major challenges affecting young people across the Valley.
He said during the anti-drug drive, we have registered 1,651 cases under NDPS and arrested 1941 persons.
“Police has seized 1,711 kilograms of contraband, recovered more than Rs 1.10 lakh in cash and frozen 567 bank accounts linked to narcotics-related activities. Illicit crops spread over 2,116 kanals had been destroyed during enforcement operations,” the IGP said.
He said police was particularly concerned about young people struggling with drug addiction and assured them of assistance without compromising their identities.
‎“Those who are fighting drug addiction and want to come out of it can approach any police station. We will protect their identity and help them in their recovery,” he said.
‎He said the Police Drug Rehabilitation Centre was providing treatment at minimal cost, with patients required to bear only expenses relating to food and medicines where applicable.
‎On the relationship between drug trafficking and militancy, Kumar said narcotics proceeds were being used to support militant networks, including their overground workers.
‎“The kingpins, whether operating here or across the border, distribute earnings from narcotics to their overground workers. This is true, although it is difficult to specify the exact volume of money involved,” he said.
‎He said narcotics entering Kashmir originated both from across the border and from other states, with investigations establishing links to multiple supply routes.
On major drug racket recently uncovered in downtown Srinagar, the IGP said investigators were pursuing its wider network, including links outside Jammu and Kashmir.
‎He said teams had been dispatched to Chandigarh and other states to trace those involved in the racket, which had reportedly yielded recoveries worth around Rs 7 crore and led to several arrests.
‎“The SSP has sent teams not only to Chandigarh but also to other states where the racket has links. The investigation is being pursued at a larger level, and the entire forward and backward network will come to light,” Kumar said.
‎‎The IGP also expressed concern over the growing involvement of local youth in cybercrime, saying investigations had revealed cases in which young people based in Kashmir were operating fraudulent networks targeting victims within the region and elsewhere.
‎Citing a case detected in Ganderbal, he said investigators had uncovered a cyber fraud operation with Chinese links that was allegedly being run by a Srinagar-based youth.
‎“Some of our own young people are sitting here and cheating their own people. This is wrong, and they must stay away from such activities,” he said.
‎Sharing cybercrime figures, Kumar said police had received 12,385 complaints involving more than Rs 54 crore during the current year.
‎Of this amount, Rs 7.48 crore had been recovered, while additional funds had been frozen or placed under lien in bank accounts pending legal procedures.
‎“We have recovered around 13 to 14 per cent of the amount involved. A substantial portion of the remaining money is under lien or frozen, while some could not be traced or blocked,” he said.
‎He said 93 FIRs had been registered in connection with cyber fraud complaints, including seven cases relating to mule accounts used to facilitate fraudulent financial transactions.
‎‎The IGP urged people to report cyber fraud immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, saying timely complaints could help authorities freeze suspicious transactions and recover money.
‎‎On the security situation, Kumar said one local terrorist was active in Kashmir and was being supported by a few foreign militants.
‎He said the local terrorists had been linked to attacks in Anantnag and Kulgam, while security forces were continuing efforts to track the group.
‎“There is certainly one local terrorist, supported by a few foreign terrorists. We have some footprints, but giving a fixed number of active terrorists would be an exaggeration because they are constantly moving from one place to another,” he said.
‎‎Asked about recent infiltration attempts, the IGP said he did not have verified figures to share.
‎On the recent encounter in the high-altitude areas adjoining Budgam and Poonch, Kumar said the militants had been operating in difficult mountainous terrain.
‎He said sustained domination of these areas by security forces, including specialised units, had resulted in successful operations.
‎“The area is vast, and operational possibilities are manifold. Security forces are taking all possible measures,” he said.
‎‎Responding to a question about the use of advanced communication equipment by militants, Kumar declined to disclose operational details but maintained that the technologies being used by militant groups were under surveillance.
‎“Whatever technology they are using is on our radar. Operational and security-related details should remain within the security sphere,” he said.