Rising Drone smuggling of drugs, arms threaten J&K Youth: Kesri

• Says unemployed youth being lured into narco-terror, drug networks target jobless youth for courier rackets

JAMMU: Pt. Rajesh Kesri, Jammu and Kashmir UT President of Shiv Sena Hindustan, on Friday raised serious concerns over the growing menace of narco-terror activities in the border areas of Jammu. Addressing a press conference, Kesri alleged that cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons through drone drops from Pakistan is steadily increasing, posing a significant threat to the region’s security and youth.

Kesri said that narcotics and arms are frequently being dropped across the border using drones, after which local collaborators retrieve and distribute them. According to him, unemployed youth are often targeted by these networks and lured with easy money to work as couriers and peddlers. “Young men with no employment opportunities see quick cash in this trade, but they fail to realize that they are being dragged into the dangerous nexus of narco-terrorism,” Kesri said while speaking to reporters.

Referring to a recent drug seizure in the Miran Sahib area, Kesri cited the arrest of Dilbagh Singh and his associates as an example of the alertness of the police. However, he claimed that the incident reflects only a small part of a much larger network operating in the region. He alleged that many individuals, including some government employees, are involved in such illegal activities and continue to remain active.

Kesri further expressed concern over what he described as lenient bail provisions, claiming that many accused involved in narcotics cases secure bail easily and return to the same illegal activities soon after their release. He alleged that the Miran Sahib gang members had previous cases against them and resumed their operations after being granted bail.

Calling for stricter action, Kesri urged the authorities to invoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) against habitual offenders involved in drug trafficking and narco-terror activities. He also suggested the introduction of deradicalization programmes and patriotic education for prisoners involved in such crimes to discourage them from returning to illegal activities.

Highlighting the role of unemployment in pushing youth towards crime, Kesri appealed to the government to expedite pending recruitment processes and create more job opportunities in the Jammu Division so that young people are not drawn towards the drug trade. Among those present at the press conference were Border In-charge Sanjeev Sharma, Vice-Chairman Raj Kumar and Secretary Raj Kumar. The briefing concluded with Kesri raising the slogan “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” reiterating the need for collective efforts to protect the youth and maintain security in the region.