Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday said that stringent enforcement of drug laws, faster prosecution of offenders and a strong rehabilitation ecosystem are key to curbing the drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was chairing the 17th Union Territory-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre, where a comprehensive review of the UT’s performance in enforcement, prosecution and rehabilitation of victims affected by substance abuse was undertaken.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of Police, Director General Prosecution, Principal Secretary Home, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior civil and police officers. Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police from all districts participated through video conferencing.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary emphasized strengthening the legal framework and plugging procedural gaps in NDPS cases. He directed the Law Department to explore the feasibility of recording statements of in-service witnesses through video conferencing, particularly in cases where officials are transferred outside their districts, to ensure continuity and avoid delays in trials.
Stressing accountability, he called for a thorough analysis of acquittals in NDPS cases and fixing responsibility wherever investigative or procedural lacunae are identified.
Highlighting enforcement priorities, Dulloo underscored the importance of investigating both backward and forward linkages in drug trafficking cases and actively challenging bail orders to enhance deterrence. He called for a well-defined strategy to dismantle drug peddling networks and strict action against identified offenders.
Advocating a broader approach, he stressed the use of non-kinetic measures, including cancellation of driving licences, passports and vehicle registrations, along with scrutiny of financial transactions through bank accounts to choke illicit proceeds.
On rehabilitation, he emphasized capacity building by directing training of a large pool of counsellors across schools, colleges, Primary Health Centres and at the block level through trained Self-Help Group members.
He further directed the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences to create a pool of master trainers, ensuring at least three to four trained resource persons per district, supplemented by periodic refresher courses to upgrade their skills.
The Chief Secretary also directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure the functionality of inpatient (IPD) facilities in drug de-addiction centres in all district hospitals and asked the Health Department to strictly adhere to protocols for availability of essential medicines at all health institutions.
Additionally, he called for strict action in cases involving seizure of vehicles under Section 52A of the NDPS Act to ensure effective enforcement of legal provisions.
On the occasion, Commissioner Secretary Law, Achal Sethi, presented a detailed analysis of NDPS cases across districts, including incidence, categorization, trends in intermediate and commercial quantity cases, pendency, stages of trial and delays in disposal. He also suggested remedial measures to reduce backlog and ensure expeditious disposal.
Earlier, IGP Crime Sarah Rizvi presented a comprehensive overview of enforcement efforts, acquittals and actions taken.
She informed that during 2026 so far, 542 NDPS cases have been registered across police stations, leading to the arrest of 716 individuals and seizure of 640 kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately ₹18.49 crore.
She further stated that 31 cases involving commercial quantities have been registered this year compared to 19 during the corresponding period last year. Details of major FIRs and seizures linked to interstate drug cartels were also shared.
The meeting was informed that a total of 10,956 NDPS cases are pending across various courts, including 6,156 cases in five Special NDPS Courts. In 2025, 1,991 cases were instituted while 483 were disposed of. Prosecution challenged 91 bail orders in 2025 and 57 in 2026 so far in intermediate and commercial quantity cases.
Regarding convictions, the figures stood at 135 in 2024, 140 in 2025 and 23 in 2026 till date. Out of 1,435 prosecution witnesses who attended court proceedings, 839 were examined while 596 returned without examination, indicating procedural gaps.
The meeting further noted that in 24 cases, backward and forward linkages were established, leading to attachment of properties worth ₹53.77 lakh and freezing of bank accounts amounting to ₹22.63 lakh.
Non-kinetic measures were also actively pursued, with 489 driving licences recommended for cancellation and 700 vehicle registrations for suspension between January and March this year due to involvement in illicit activities.
Participants held detailed deliberations on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing rehabilitation measures and ensuring speedy disposal of cases to secure maximum punishment for offenders, thereby creating an effective deterrent against drug trafficking and abuse in the Union Territory.
