*ANTF doesn’t have sufficient manpower, other paraphernalia
Force’s broad functions not defined during last 8 months
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 20: Shocking it may sound but it is a fact that Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is fighting the deep-rooted drug menace with ‘debilitated’ arm—Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) thereby raising serious doubts about any drastic reduction in the scourge in near future much to the disappointment of the people.
In a bid to rein in the increasing menace of drugs, the Government vide Order No.112-Home dated May 14, 2020 accorded sanction to the setting up of Anti-Narcotics Task Force under the overall superintendence and control of the Inspector General of Police, Crime J&K.
The Government also ordered transfer of 100 posts of various ranks from erstwhile Anti-Hijacking Units to Anti-Narcotics Task Force. These posts include one Superintendent of Police, 2 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 9 Inspectors, 18 Sub-Inspectors, 18 Assistant Sub-Inspectors and 52 Constables.
The decision about creation of Task Force in Jammu and Kashmir was taken after it was found that such an initiative in the neighbouring States of Punjab and Haryana has led to major success in curbing the peril.
“Notwithstanding the all out efforts being made by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force ever since its creation, there are serious doubts about perceptible change in the situation especially in the light of the fact that several important aspects were not given serious thought by the Home Department”, reliable sources told EXCELSIOR.
Transfer of merely 100 posts to Anti-Narcotics Task Force was not a well-thought out decision as with such a meagre manpower the deep-rooted menace spread in every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be effectively uprooted, they said, adding “the most astonishing aspect is that even 100 sanctioned personnel have not been kept at the disposal of the Task Force till date thereby rendering it merely a debilitated arm of the Government”.
“If the Government was really interested in making Anti-Narcotics Task Force an effective tool in fight against the menace of drugs it should have also sanctioned Police Stations and other paraphernalia for this force especially on the lines of Crime Branch”, they further said.
In the proposal regarding creation of ANTF, suggestion was made for establishment of training, raid, investigation and other units under Anti-Narcotics Task Force so as to ensure that all the vital aspects receive attention strictly as per the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA). “However, all these aspects were completely ignored and ANTF doesn’t have professionals to handle different assignments”, sources informed.
“Despite the claim that ANTF in Jammu and Kashmir has been created on the lines of Special Task Force in the neighbouring State of Punjab, the facts are totally contrary as in this Union Territory SP level officer has been made head of force while as in Punjab Additional Director General of Police heads the STF and he directly reports to the Chief Minister”, they disclosed.
Moreover, Punjab Government has formally notified the terms of reference and broad functions of the Special Task Force but in Jammu and Kashmir nothing such has happened even eight months after the creation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force, sources said.
“If the Government really wants to change the situation it should strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force on the lines of Punjab and ANTF should be tasked with multiple responsibilities by properly defining its terms of reference and broad functions”, sources stressed, adding “the ANTF should be allowed to develop strategies, measures and methods to enforce the law against drug-trafficking, prevent drug abuse, rehabilitate the drug victims and co-ordinate with other Governmental agencies and police units”.
Moreover, ANTF should be roped in for rehabilitation of the drug addicts with compassion and sympathy for those who have become habitual of drug intake/ consumption; creation of mass awareness campaign and people’s participation to inculcate social opprobrium for drugs to remove them from day-do-day life of the citizens more importantly the youth, sources further said.
“Above all it should be ensured that police personnel are deployed in the Anti-Narcotics Task Force only after imparting of proper knowledge about the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) as generally it has been seen that due to inept handling of cases the accused gets acquitted by the courts”, sources said.
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