Neighboring country trying ‘Punjab model’ to lure J&K youth towards drugs: DGP

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh Thursday said that the neighbouring country is following the Punjab model to lure J&K’s younger generation towards drugs as “militancy is on its deathbed”.
“When terrorism ended in Punjab, youth and people were lured towards drugs. While terrorism vanished in Punjab, drugs remained there to destroy the generations. The same model is being followed in J&K by Pakistan. Militancy is on its deathbed in J&K but efforts from across are on to hook youth towards drugs,” DGP Singh told reporters here as reported by news agency KNO.
After inaugurating the J&K Police Martyrs’ Football Tournament in Srinagar, he said that last year, J&K police, while following the zero tolerance for drugs, destroyed 8000 kgs of drugs and registered 2000 cases. “Some 3000 people were arrested and many of them under NDPS Act,” the DGP said.
He said conspiracies are being hatched against the J&K youth from across as consignments of drugs continue to infiltrate into this side.
He said a peaceful environment is prevailing in J&K at present as the stones lying on the roads are being used for the construction of buildings and streets. “Stones are no longer used to bruise or hurt anyone,” the DGP said.
Replying to a query about Yatra, the DGP said that pilgrimage is going on smoothly and so far more than 3 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan. “The pilgrims are coming to Srinagar as well and visiting other places of Kashmir to enjoy the beauty of the valley,” he said.
The J&K police chief said that they have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the Muharram procession of the Shia community. “There shouldn’t be any sectarian rift as all festivals and religious obligations are equally important and sacred. We are cooperating with the Shia community and will ensure peaceful Muharram processions,” he said.