Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: In a significant collaborative effort to combat the menace of drug abuse, the Legal Aid and Legal Literacy Committee, The Law School, University of Jammu, and the Amity Legal Literacy and Outreach Committee, Amity Law School, Noida, in association with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu, J&K, organized a thought-provoking online colloquium to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking. The event, held under the theme "Nasha Mukt Bharat: Building a Stronger India", brought together eminent speakers from the judiciary, legal fraternity, law enforcement, and civil society to address the multifaceted challenges of drug addiction and illicit trafficking.
The thematic session featured insightful deliberations from distinguished speakers, each offering a unique perspective on tackling drug abuse. Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Tandon (Retd.), Former Judge, Uttarakhand High Court, emphasized the role of the judiciary in stringent enforcement of narcotics laws and the need for rehabilitative justice to reintegrate victims into society. He highlighted landmark judgments and the importance of fast-track courts in drug-related cases.
Shri Harish Kumar, Assistant Director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu, provided an overview of India’s narcotics control framework and operational challenges in border regions like Jammu & Kashmir. He also introduced the MANAS Helpline (1933), a critical resource for reporting drug-related crimes and seeking assistance. Shri Ajay Sharma, SP South, Jammu, reinforced the police’s proactive role in drug prevention and community policing initiatives.
Emphasising the Legal Community’s Role, Advocate Meenakshi Slathia and Advocate Nitin Parihar (Founder, Meridian Law Chambers) discussed the legal remedies available to victims, the importance of public awareness campaigns, and the ethical responsibility of lawyers in fighting drug-related cases.
In the second session, representatives from leading NGOs, including Nations Development Association, Global Peace Organisation, National Progressive Youth Organisation, PARIVARTAN, The Daffodils Project, VOICE, Border Welfare Organisation J&K, SSEM JK- SOCH INDIA, Society For Human Welfare Empowerment & Fundamental Freedoms, and IHDF, shared ground-level experiences. Sushil Singh Charak, Sheikh Altaf Hussain, Dr. Sarfraz Mir, and Avinash Choudhary specifically underscored the need for community engagement, rehabilitation programs, and youth sensitization to curb drug abuse.
Dr. Seema Rohmetra, Director, The Law School, University of Jammu, in her address, stated, "The fight against drug abuse requires a multi-dimensional approach—legal, social, and psychological. As an academic institution, we are committed to fostering legal literacy and community outreach to create a drug-free society.”
The session was coordinated by Dr. Monica Narang, Coordinator, Legal Aid & Legal Literacy Committee, The Law School and Dr. Sumitra Singh, Convenor, Amity Legal Literacy and Outreach Committee, Amity Law School, Noida, and skillfully moderated by Dr. Monika Bhardwaj, Faculty Member, The Law School, and Ms. Harmannat Kour, a dedicated law student, ensuring an engaging and interactive discussion. The event concluded with an open forum, where participants raised pertinent questions on legal reforms, enforcement strategies, and societal interventions to combat drug abuse. The formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Nitan Sharma.