SRINAGAR: To combat narcotics trafficking and its illicit proceeds, the Jammu and Kashmir administration made significant strides in 2024 by identifying 188 properties of traffickers for attachment under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act (SAFEMA). Additionally, 274 repeat offenders were detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, addressing a regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security,” chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, highlighted these achievements. Participating virtually from Jammu, Sinha emphasised the Union Territory’s commitment to dismantling the narco-terror nexus. He underlined the administration’s adoption of a “whole of government” approach under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Lieutenant Governor revealed that 2024 marked a year of unprecedented progress in the fight against narcotics. A record 210 convictions were secured, the highest ever, while 1,514 cases under the NDPS Act were registered, resulting in 2,260 arrests. He stressed the government’s determination to dismantle the drug syndicate threatening national sovereignty and security.
Five special NDPS courts have been established in Jammu and Kashmir to expedite justice. Financial investigations are now integrated into every case to trace drug networks’ forward and backward linkages. Strengthened forensic laboratories equipped with modern technology and adequate manpower have enhanced early charge-sheet filing and effective trials.
Inter-departmental coordination and regular NCORD meetings over the past two years have further reinforced the government’s response to drug trafficking and abuse. The administration remains committed to neutralising the drug menace and protecting the nation’s security and well-being.
Home Minister Shah launched several initiatives, including the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office of the NCB’s Bhopal Zonal Unit, and extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and union territories.
The Drug Disposal Fortnight will oversee the destruction of one lakh kilograms of confiscated narcotics valued at approximately Rs 8,600 crore over the next ten days. Shah highlighted this as a testament to the government’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse. He emphasised the necessity of a “Whole of Government” approach, integrating various stakeholders to comprehensively tackle the issue.
Shah also urged states to promote the MANAS helpline, which has already facilitated over 25,000 interactions. He stressed the importance of swift and result-oriented action on each call to build public trust in the system. Referring to the strides made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shah noted a significant increase in drug seizures, which have risen sevenfold over the past decade compared to the period between 2004 and 2014.
Addressing the dual threat of drugs and terrorism, Shah underlined the importance of dismantling networks associated with narco-terrorism. He credited the collaborative efforts of state and central agencies in uncovering such cases, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. However, he cautioned against complacency and called for accelerated efforts to combat emerging challenges such as the use of the dark web, cryptocurrency, and drones for drug trafficking.
The Home Minister stressed the need to address the diversion towards chemical drugs, citing the seizure of at least 50 illegal labs across the country. He urged states to rigorously destroy clandestine labs and prosecute those involved. Shah also advocated for expanding the use of the PIT-NDPS Act and enhancing the capacity of forensic labs to support drug investigations.
Shah emphasised the importance of integrating financial investigations into drug cases, advocating for the strategic use of legal provisions to confiscate assets linked to the narcotics trade. He reiterated that no case should be viewed in isolation, urging authorities to pursue every lead to dismantle broader drug networks.
He also called for greater vigilance in NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meetings, urging states to organise district-level meetings with actionable outcomes. Highlighting the significance of grassroots involvement, he said a drug-free district could pave the way for a drug-free India.
Shah underscored the importance of public awareness in combating drug abuse, urging collaboration between education, social welfare, and health departments. He encouraged the use of the NIDAAN portal for better tracking of offenders and proposed establishing special NDPS courts to expedite legal proceedings.
Reiterating the severity of the issue, Shah noted that drug abuse not only ruins lives but also hampers the development potential of a nation. He cautioned that India could face irreversible consequences if it fails to act decisively now, citing the experiences of Western nations grappling with rampant drug abuse. He called for collective responsibility to ensure the success of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign and pledged to dismantle the entire ecosystem of narco-terror.
