Anjum Manhas
Terrorism Kills but drugs addiction decapitates whole society. The influence of drug addiction digs deep in the conscience of a society. It spread like wildfire slowly engulfing whole society into abyss. Drug addiction is a poison deforming cog-native development of the society, eventually leads to chaos. Drug addiction is noiseless giant which crumbles the very fabric of social life.
The “Golden Crescent” is a term that resonates with a notorious reputation in the world of illicit narcotics. Nestled in the heart of South Asia, this region has earned infamy as one of the globe’s principal hubs for the production of illegal drugs, most notably opium and heroin. Comprising three key countries, Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, Golden Crescent has long been at the epicentre of the global drug trade, presenting a complex and multifaceted challenge for governments, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations.
Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of opium, the raw material for heroin. The drug trade often begins with the cultivation of opium poppies in various regions of Afghanistan, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the country. After opium is harvested, it is processed into heroin in clandestine laboratories within Afghanistan.
Much of the Afghan-produced heroin is trafficked into Pakistan, often through the porous border regions between the two countries. Pakistan serves as both a transit country and a market for these drugs.
Pakistan has been pushing in drugs through the LoC and other International Borders. Drug addiction has become a major cause of concern in the valley. A report from the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre in AIIMS has revealed that more than six lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir are victims of drug abuse. As high as 90 per cent of the drug addicts are in the 17-33 age group. If drug addiction is the dark underbelly of the Kashmiri society, hatred and bloodshed are still the bitter truths that continue to haunt the UT.
Implications for the security of India
A person who regularly consumes drugs loses cognitive functions and the ability to make rational choices. There have been several instances when a person started consumption of religious propaganda and extremist ideas after consuming drugs. As a person can’t differentiate between what is wrong and good for the person, he inevitably chooses the path of violence. Consumption of extremist content ultimately pushes a person on the trajectory of religious violence. More drug abuser means more future extremists in the state and the country. Extremist violence will force youth to pick up arms and fight against the nation.
Increase in the number of terror attacks: Accumulation of heavy terror funding leads to an increased number of terror attacks. Excessive funds bolster terror groups’s capability to inflict heavy damage on the civilians and security forces. Terror groups might use extensive terror funds to buy armaments and recruit more youth in terror groups to carry out terror activities in the UT of J&K.
An Emerging Trend in Narco-Terrorism
Use of crypto currency: The heavy and effectual crackdown on the funding sources of terrorists by law enforcement forces and security forces drive terrorist to adopt substitute to gather funds for their illicit activities. The terror group bring cyberspace to their rescue to amass funds by staying anonymous and supporting their terror activities. Although there is no concrete proof to corroborate the use of crypto currency for narco-terrorism, various media houses highlight that terrorist groups have access to sources of digital money such as bit coins for funding terror activities.
Crypto currencies are extensively used for narco-trade business as it eliminates the requirement of a middle-man. Cyberspace space is a more lucrative and easy earning source for people involved in narco-business, as the absence of a middle-man generates much more funds and money. Thus, there is a high possibility of the narco-terrorism trade shifting from public to cyberspace.
Success Of The Crackdown On The Narco-Terror Nexus
Along the LoC in entire J&K, the security forces are working together to thwart any attempts by the narco-terror modules to smuggle drugs into India. However, there are many mountainous areas with tough topography which gives terror groups an opportunity to send drugs into J&K. Many such attempts were foiled in districts along the LoC, including Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Bandipore and Kupwara, in the recent past.
“During these two years a number of narco-terrorism modules have been busted. Around 20 cases of this nature are under investigation which shows the involvement of terrorists and their handlers,” DGP Dilbag Singh. The J-K police chief further said that security forces will take every action against 119 proclaimed offenders, who are currently in Pakistan.
Counter Measures
Operation Sadbhawna: Under Operation Sadbhawna, the Indian army has set up several de-addiction counselling centres for drug-addicted youth. Awareness camps are the second initiative under Operation Sadbhawna. It is of significant importance to acquaint people against drug menace. To implement the same Indian Army time occasionally organise drug awareness camps to caution people against the use of drugs. Under this initiative, anti-narco experts apprise people of the harmful side effects of drugs, adverse impact on health and the suffering of the community and humanity because of drug consumption.
De-addiction policy: J&K will be the first union territory of India to introduce a Drug De-Addiction Policy to fight the drug menace in J&K. The administration will provide a better de-addiction structure for drug addicts under this policy. Also, there will be a timely review of anti-narco structure availability in the union territory. Accordingly, the de-addiction policy is a pressing priority as J&K is close to the ‘Golden Crescent’, illicit drug-producing countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Under this policy, the Government has constituted UT Level Policy Implementation Monitoring Committee and Jammu and Kashmir Division Level De-addiction Centre Monitoring Committees. Accordingly, the committees will assess the current de-addiction clinics and issue or revoke licences following a thorough review of the facilities infrastructure, staffing levels, and care standards.
It’s important to note that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is complex, with various security and political dimensions. While narco-terrorism is a concern, it is just one facet of the broader challenges faced in the region. Efforts to address the issue involve a combination of security measures, intelligence operations, and cooperation with neighbouring countries to disrupt the financing of terrorism through the drug trade.
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