* Influential people running drug mafia: Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: Expressing apprehensions that J&K is likely to go ‘Udta Punjab’ way soon if necessary measures were not taken by the Government, the members in the ‘House of Elders’ rising above the party lines today unanimously resolved that drug menace was much dangerous than the terrorism and Govt must enact stringent laws to save State youth from the slow death and destruction.
Taking part in the discussion raised on the starred question of MLCs Ramesh Arora, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Ajatshatru Singh in the Upper House today, Ajatshatru Singh said that in view of huge seizures of narcotic substance/ drugs made in the J&K State recently and increasing number of cases/ FIRs and deaths of the youth due to over dose, there are apprehensions of J&K becoming like ‘Udta Punjab’. He said the Government was trying to play down the death cases but he can challenge on the floor of the House that many cases of such deaths have taken place due to over dose but many go unnoticed. Even the parents try to hide it is also fact. He claimed that young boys and girls are fastly going into the jaws of drug menace and many families are ruining. The Government is taking things very lightly but the bitter truth remains that situation is going out of hands. It is not only the responsibility of Health Department alone but Police and some other agencies too, have to play vital role.
Qaiser Lone alleged that many influential people were running drug mafia and in Kamraj Forest Division between Bandipore and Lolab nearly 15 kms area is being used by some mafia men to grow poppy crops and charas. The Government officials and police knows about it but there is no action. He said youth have been ruined and if any action is taken it is just eye wash. Police hesitates to arrest influential people connected with this lucrative trade.
Ramesh Arora alleged that it is no doubt that Pak is pushing drugs into Indian side but local mafia is also contributing a lot. Drugs are easily available in Chemist shops and other places. Heroin is coming in large quantity from other side. A conspiracy has been hatched by Pak to ruin our young generation. It is collective responsibility of all to find a solution. He stressed the need to amend laws, create special task force, create rehabilitation centers with all facilities for addicts at major towns of J&K including Srinagar and Jammu. He also gave some figures of deaths in Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri due to drugs in the recent past and said that Govt should not conceal the facts. He said more than 400 died due to drugs in J&K so far. The Policemen involved in such cases should also be prosecuted and laws be made stringent, he added.
Mohd Khursheed Alam things like ink remover, nail polish remover, thinner etc be controlled which is being also used for addiction by money. The Govt should keep check on Medical shops and corex and iodex etc besides some injections etc are also being used in large quantity. Alam said that drugs menace was more dangerous than gun and Government must take strict measures to control. He also demanded that attendance in colleges be made compulsory to sit in exams and youth should not be allowed to move out while college time. He sought intervention of Education Minister in this regard.
Replying to the discussion, the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat said it is the collective responsibility of all the society itself can play a vital role. He said in Srinagar they have set up over 50 such committees to keep check on drugs menace and Government would do what ever is possible. Minister said somebody has said ‘if you want to destroy a country ruin its younger generation and Pakistan is doing the same here. But State is firm to curb the menace with the support of all. He also admitted that some influential people were connected with the drug mafia and there was need to break it.
He disclosed that 888 cases have been registered under NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act from 2014 up to November 2017 while 1213 persons have been booked under the Act. Bhagat said there is a coordinated mechanism in place between Excise, Police, Revenue and Drug & Food Control Organisation to curb the drug menace in the State.
The Minister said that sale statements of habit forming drugs are being obtained from depots/ C&F agents of various pharmaceutical manufacturers operating in the state besides, the supply chain of drugs is being monitored up to the end user. “Sale of medicinal plants from neighbouring states is also being continuously checked strictly,” he said.
The Minister said that awareness programs are being conducted by Drug and Food Control Organisation at district level to make people aware of the ill effects of habit forming drug. He said special drives in addition to routine inspections are also being conducted to curb this menace.
He further informed that the enforcement wing of Health Department in regulating the sale of habit forming drugs come under schedule H1 and X of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945.
“A number of measures have been taken to tackle the menace of inflow of drugs in the State while conducting frequent raids and laying of nakas and surprise checks to nab the peddlers,” he said.
He added that two drug de-addiction centers are being established at Kulgam and Tral.
“No death has been reported due to overdose of drugs. A drug de-addiction centre at SMHS Hospital Srinagar was made functional during 2014-15 with capacity of 30 bedded drug de-addiction centre,” he said.
“Similarly, the Government Psychiatric Hospital Jammu has been made fully functional in March 2015 with total bed strength of 120 and having separate wards for both genders with a rehabilitation centre,” he added.
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