SRINAGAR: Illegal assets worth Rs 12.04 crore were attached in 2024, with properties valued at Rs 50 crore currently under the attachment process, as part of intensified measures to curb the drug menace in the Union Territory. This was disclosed during the 12th UT NCORD Committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, which brought together senior officials from civil administration, police, and other enforcement agencies to deliberate on strategies to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
A sharp focus was placed on actions against drug kingpins under the PIT NDPS Act. It was revealed that 274 individuals were booked in 2024, compared to 270 in 2023 and 195 in 2022, indicating an ongoing escalation in enforcement efforts. Alongside, disciplinary measures were taken against 93 government employees implicated in NDPS-related cases, including 15 civil employees, 69 police personnel, and 9 army personnel who were disembodied from service.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo underscored the need for a collective approach involving the civil administration, police, and judicial systems to tackle the drug menace effectively. He highlighted the importance of strict enforcement of NDPS laws and robust investigations to ensure strong prosecutions. Dulloo pointed out that delayed investigations and weak prosecutions often lead to acquittals and stressed the need for accountability among investigating officers. He directed audits of cases resulting in acquittals to identify procedural shortcomings and fix responsibility.
Addressing the role of law enforcement, Dulloo emphasised enhancing the capacities of investigation officers and public prosecutors through specialised training to build stronger cases and secure convictions. He also instructed police departments to ensure all bail and acquittal orders are challenged in higher courts and reiterated that government employees found complicit in drug-related cases should face stern action.
Public awareness campaigns featured prominently in the meeting’s discussions. It was disclosed that 25,546 awareness programmes were conducted in schools, colleges, and communities during 2024, educating the public about the devastating effects of drug abuse. Dulloo urged collaboration between the health, education, and social welfare departments to further amplify outreach efforts, particularly targeting youth. He directed the police to organise panchayat-level awareness events with visual aids and information dissemination materials to sensitise rural communities.
The meeting also noted significant strides in improving conviction rates in drug cases, attributed to targeted training programmes. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) trained 2,737 officers across districts, contributing to a rise in conviction rates from 23 per cent in 2022 to 51 per cent in 2023, and further to 54 per cent in 2024. Such initiatives are seen as critical in ensuring that offenders face the full extent of the law.
DG Police Nalin Prabhat highlighted a paradigm shift in investigations under the NDPS and PIT NDPS Acts. He observed that actions against offenders have significantly increased, driven by enhanced focus and accountability within the police force. Prabhat pointed out the deterrent effect of property attachment measures and called for continuous improvements to build on the department’s successes.
Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti, stressed the effective use of technology, such as the national NIDAAN portal, to trace forward and backward links in drug-related cases. He advocated timely appeals against bail orders and suggested marking red entries in revenue records against properties linked to drug dealers. He also highlighted the importance of attaching properties to dismantle the financial foundations of organised drug networks.
Health-related interventions also received attention, with Dulloo directing the establishment of IPD drug de-addiction facilities in all district hospitals and OPD services in most health centres. He called for online and offline counselling and treatment programmes to support victims of drug abuse. Coordination with educational institutions was also emphasised, aiming to create widespread awareness among students about the perils of drug addiction.
A detailed presentation by IG Crime Sunil Kumar outlined the progress made in combating the drug menace. He highlighted a surge in enforcement actions, including the attachment of illegal assets and an increase in actions under the NDPS and PIT NDPS Acts. Kumar also revealed that 241 disciplinary actions were initiated against officers for faulty investigations, reflecting a commitment to accountability within law enforcement.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for stricter enforcement, efficient rehabilitation programmes, and continuous public awareness initiatives. Senior officials resolved to maintain momentum in addressing the drug problem, with an unwavering focus on eradicating this menace from the Union Territory.
