SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered 1,651 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 1,941 persons involved in drug trafficking in Kashmir this year, while properties worth Rs 154 crore belonging to drug peddlers have been attached or forfeited, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Sujit Kumar said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference at the Police Control Room in Srinagar, the IGP said police had seized 1,711 kg of contraband, recovered Rs 1.10 crore in cash and frozen 567 bank accounts containing Rs 1.71 crore as part of the crackdown against drug trafficking.
He said illicit drug-yielding crops had also been destroyed across 2,116 kanals of land in different parts of Kashmir.
Accompanied by senior Kashmir Zone Police officers, Kumar said the police, in coordination with the government and society, were working towards making Kashmir drug-free and cyber-safe. He urged young people to contribute positively towards achieving these objectives.
Sharing details of action against cybercrime, the IGP said 12,385 complaints involving fraud exceeding Rs 54 crore had been received through the national cybercrime helpline and portal 1930.
Of the amount involved, police had recovered or blocked more than Rs 7.48 crore, while other funds had been frozen or placed under bank liens, he said.
Kumar said 93 FIRs had been registered in connection with cyber fraud, including seven cases involving mule accounts.
He cautioned that cybercriminals, including networks operating through local youth and foreign connections, were increasingly targeting senior citizens and other vulnerable sections of society.
The IGP also expressed concern over traffic violations, particularly triple riding, rash driving, the use of modified loud exhaust systems and stunt biking, saying such practices posed serious risks to motorists, pedestrians, elderly people and patients.
Referring to a recent incident involving a 20-year-old BSc first-year student in Srinagar, Kumar said the youth, who had been posting stunt videos on social media, was called to the police, counselled and subsequently encouraged to use his platform to discourage others from performing dangerous stunts and engaging in drug abuse.
Appealing to young people struggling with substance abuse to seek assistance, the IGP assured them that their identities and privacy would be protected.
He said rehabilitation facilities were available through dedicated centres, including one headed by Muzaffar.
Kumar also urged young people not to fall prey to fraudulent investment schemes, mule-account networks and other cyber scams, warning them against allowing their bank accounts to be misused for criminal activities.
