SRINAGAR
Anti Tobacco team headed by SHO Kothibagh, Zulqarnain and comprising of Shabir Ahmed Lone, Food Safety Officer, Srinagar, Sub Inspector Abdul Majid, Const Abdul Gani Lone, Volunteers from J&K Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA) inspected various public places falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kothibagh on Monday.
The areas including Partap Park, Residency Road, Press Colony, Women’s College, College of Education, Regal Chowk, Forest Lane, Lal Chowk, Abi Guzar Lane, Foot Bridge, Tyndale Biscoe School and The Bund.
96 persons were caught smoking and challan of Rs 9,600 was compounded. The team also challaned shopkeepers selling tobacco outside educational institutions in violation of Section 5 of the anti tobacco act. This action followed a sustained campaign launched by JKVHA against consumption of tobacco in public. IGP, Crime Branch Javed Gillani issued circular instructions to all District SPs and SHOs directing them to incorporate the offences under tobacco Act, in the monthly crime reporting formats of Police Stations. IGP Kashmir, AG Mir also extended his wholehearted support to the campaign in the interest of the health of general public.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmed Shah constituted a special squad for random checks of shops for confiscating Gutka, which has been banned by State Government. A.M.Mir, (IAS Retd), Executive Director JKVHA, pioneer in anti-tobacco campaign lauded J&K Police for extending support for this social cause. Mir urged all authorised officers, including all Gazetted Officers to exercise powers conferred on them by the Anti-Tobacco Act (COTPA-2003) and prevent people from smoking in public, within their areas of responsibility and to impose fine on the violators.
