CRIME WATCH: Police arrest 515 drug peddlers, 47 addicts in Awantipora over 6 years

Srinagar, Oct 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse in Awantipora, a key town in south Kashmir, arresting 515 drug peddlers and 47 drug addicts over the past six years.

The figures, obtained from official police records, highlight the persistent challenge posed by narcotics in the area and the administration’s ongoing efforts to curb the menace.

According to the data, in 2020, 99 drug peddlers and 5 addicts were apprehended in Awanipora. The following year, 47 peddlers and 8 addicts were arrested, while 2022 saw a sharp increase with 144 peddlers and 9 addicts taken into custody. In 2023, 95 peddlers and 6 addicts were arrested, followed by 87 peddlers and 12 addicts in 2024.

So far in 2025, 43 peddlers and 7 addicts have been apprehended. During this period, authorities also took action against six public servants, including police personnel, involved in drug-related offences, reflecting the worrying infiltration of narcotics into public and professional circles.

Awanipora has also seen theft cases alongside drug-related crimes. Between 2020 and 2025, 24 thefts were reported in 2020, 44 in 2021, 38 in 2022, 20 in 2023, 27 in 2024, and 17 so far in 2025. While thefts have generally declined, the steady stream of drug arrests underscores the town’s ongoing struggle with substance abuse.

Pulwama district as a whole mirrors these trends. Over the past six years, police records indicate that 398 drug peddlers and 16 addicts were arrested across the district, highlighting a broader regional challenge.

Authorities stress that the combination of local drug trafficking networks, easy access to heroin, and socio-economic pressures, including unemployment and the stresses of prolonged political instability, has fueled the narcotics problem.

Experts warn that the issue is compounded by inadequate rehabilitation infrastructure. Institutions such as the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar report being overwhelmed by rising patient numbers, while social stigma and a shortage of dedicated facilities leave many addicts without proper care.

Youth between 17 and 33 years remain the most vulnerable demographic, with heroin being the most commonly abused drug.

Officials insist that tackling the drug menace requires a multi-pronged strategy involving strict policing, awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and community-based rehabilitation programs.

While arrests over the last six years reflect the determination of law enforcement, experts emphasise that coordinated action by families, civil society, and educational institutions is critical to curbing the growing epidemic.

The situation in Awanipora is indicative of a wider crisis across Kashmir, where nearly 11% of the population, or around 1.35 million people, are affected by substance abuse.