Div Com, IGP Jammu review two-month progress of Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan in Jammu Division

• Div Com calls for strengthening rehabilitation ecosystem, expanding counselling outreach and publicising helpline numbers

JAMMU: Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti chaired a meeting to review the two-month progress of the ongoing 100-day campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan.

During the meeting, the latest progress of the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan was reviewed across different parameters. It was reported that in Jammu Division, as many as 1,32,232 tehsil-level, 1,69,026 panchayat-level and 38,03,405 village-level awareness programmes were conducted over the past two months, with massive participation of people from every walk of life, making it a mass movement.

To strengthen the movement, 4,779 Panchayat Mahila Samitis were constituted while 947 youth clubs were activated. Awareness programmes were conducted involving religious leaders, youth clubs, Panchayat Mahila Samitis and religious institutions, with active support of the administration's IEC activities. As a result, hundreds of calls were received for counselling and assistance to drug abuse victims.

Comprehensive efforts against drug abuse and dismantling the narco-network involved strong enforcement action alongside large-scale administrative and anti-drug activities conducted across Jammu Division.

During the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, 155 hotspots of drug activity were identified. A total of 598 FIRs were lodged against drug peddlers, in which 701 peddlers have been arrested to date. Twenty-four PIT-NDPS detention orders were also issued against drug smugglers, with recovery of large quantities of narcotics including over 14 kg of heroin, 49 kg of ganja, 3.712 kg of charas and 204.5 kg of poppy straw. Illicit crops including poppy plants over 52 marlas, poppy straw weighing 25.43 kg, wild cannabis over 44 kanals, lahan (22,150 units) and 476 litres of illegal liquor were also destroyed.

As a measure of deterrence, 62 immovable properties of drug peddlers worth ₹19.30 crore have been demolished, while 21 immovable properties worth ₹24.868 crore have been seized or attached and movable properties worth ₹1.69 crore were also seized or attached. A total of 180 passports have been recommended for suspension, 101 driving licences were suspended and 81 have been cancelled to date. Additionally, 243 registration certificates of vehicles were suspended and 94 have been cancelled by the Transport Department across different districts of Jammu Division.

It was informed that with a focus on rehabilitation of drug abuse victims, 884 youth were identified for rehabilitation out of 2,293 drug users. Of these, 547 youth have been rehabilitated and 254 connected with self-employment schemes. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar emphasised strengthening the rehabilitation ecosystem and expanding the counselling outreach and helpline numbers.

The Div Com said that drug abuse victims should be connected with livelihood opportunities through employment linkages, and children should be provided with sufficient sports kits to keep them from falling into the trap of drug abuse.

The Divisional Commissioner also called for strengthening drug de-addiction centres with regular follow-up calls on rehabilitated youth. He instructed district administrations to regularly monitor hotspots and remain alert to shifting or newly emerging hotspots of drug abuse. He further directed Deputy Commissioners towards data-driven hotspot management to ensure sustainable reduction in drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu Division.

Div Com Ramesh Kumar directed Deputy Commissioners to regularly publicise tele-assistance and helpline numbers for drug abuse cases. He asked the Drug Controller and district administrations to conduct strict and thorough inspections of drug stores and chemist shops and take appropriate action against anyone found involved in illegal sale of regulated drugs.

The Divisional Commissioner further stressed that awareness programmes should focus on generating behavioural change among people. He underscored the need to interact with parents, students and teachers for early identification of signs of drug abuse. He asked district administrations to maintain constant surveillance and intelligence networks for better impact of the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan.

IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti noted that substantial progress has been achieved in the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan. He emphasised increasing efforts towards eradicating the menace of drug abuse from society and called on district administrations to conduct NCORD meetings in their respective districts regularly without fail.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Jammu Division, Excise Commissioner J&K, Director Social Welfare, SSP ANTF J&K, Director Colleges J&K, Drug Controller J&K, Joint Director Information Jammu and senior officers from the Transport Department, School Education, Rural Development and Jammu University.