Drug trafficking has emerged as a graver challenge for Kashmir society. The other day, Srinagar Police Chief disclosed that in 2024, Police have seized properties worth Rs 4.5 Cr from drug peddlers, registered cases against drug 156 peddlers and have detained 26 persons under PIT-NDPS. This is just in one district – Srinagar. The reports from other districts are almost similar.
In these columns we have repeatedly been discussing about drug trafficking and abuse. Unfortunately, the menace continues unabated. Not a single day passes when the local media doesn’t report about arrest of some drug peddlers somewhere in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The frequent reportage indicates that the menace is wide spread and though the daily reports may not be attracting public eye but it undoubtedly speaks volumes about the rot that the society is face to face with. Police in J&K has been seizing homegrown charas and fuki besides heroin and other deadly drugs.
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Those who are dealing with this gory trade are the merchants of death who need to be dealt with sternly. It is satisfactory to note that the government is working on the issue seriously and JK Police too has been working tirelessly to deal with the issue. It is because of these efforts that huge quantities of contraband drugs are being seized almost every day. Though a lot is being written and said about the issue and the concerned government agencies are trying their best to help the addicts to overcome the menace and start their lives afresh, the menace continues to grow in size with every passing day. Fact of the matter is that drug trafficking and abuse can’t be dealt only with official machinery, few social organization and doctors alone. It needs a strong and collective response from the citizenry.
People need to understand that those who grow bhang in their agricultural farms and those who pump in heroine and brown sugar into Jammu and Kashmir are the worst enemies of the people here. They may be earning money while doing so but that money is being earned at the cost of the health and lives of local youth. It is high time that people wake up to this disaster in the making and fight the battle against drug trafficking. Minrwaiz Umar Farooq has taken a lead and has spoken during a recent sermon about it hailing the efforts of Police in curbing the menace. Other religious leaders, both in Kashmir and Jammu, can play a vital role in fighting this battle. The mohalla and village elders too need to play their role. As responsible citizens they should keep an eye on their respective areas and if they find someone involved in such crimes, they should take help from law enforcing agencies to stop the crime.
