Srinagar’s Deputy Commissioner stated that the lion’s share of crimes committed across Kashmir and its summer capital are related, in one way or other, to drugs. According to the police data, most of the thefts, up to 95 % of them are due to the same reason.
On Monday Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Aijaz Asad, was present in a seminar organized on International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking. He further stated that thefts in Srinagar were rare a decade or so ago but in the past few years, they have become more regular as unheard, heinous crimes have started occurring in the summer capital. The Union Home Ministry has also established various Coordination Centers in different states to share and learn about narcotics.
With zero tolerance against drug peddling, around 35 drug peddlers have been arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA) in the district along with 200 FIRs registered in such drug-related crimes. The victims and drug addicts will also be supported by their new initiative called ‘Mission Waapsi’ in order to support, help and bring back the victims of substance abuse.
The aim of the department is to holistically approach the subject of the negative effects of drugs and other substances. And Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) Centers established in the district will allow them to fight against the menace of drugs. Rehabilitation, therapy and counselling will work simultaneously to help the struggling victims.
In addition to this, the Deputy Commissioner stated that they would be providing treatment facilities at IMHANS, SMHS and Kathi Darwaza, Badamwari along with tele-counselling facilities.
At GMC Srinagar, the function was meant to highlight the role of religious scholars in the annihilation of drug abuse, the Deputy Commissioner sought the scholars’ support and help in sensitizing the people and specifically the youth about the ill-effects of the use of such drugs.
The Deputy Commissioner appealed to Ulemas and asked to spread the message on the harmful effects of drugs on the society through Friday sermons. He also explained how it was against all religions and it wasn’t enough to just have police work against it, it should be actively inculcated in the society and youth by their parents and scholars.
“This fight needs to be fought at a number of places, inside Srinagar and outside also, in other districts, other states & other countries,” he said.
Delhi Police has also started multiple campaigns to fight against drugs and have successfully managed to catch many drug-peddlers. But in comparison to the amount of drugs flowing through the country this effort must increase and awareness must be spread.
