‘Intensify fight against drug menace in Srinagar’

Srinagar, Aug 24: In order to curb the drug menace and tighten the noose against drug peddlers in Srinagar District, the Commissioner(DC)Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat Saturday chaired a meeting of NCORD here.

Besides, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Khalid Hussain Malik, SP Headquarter Umar Shah and Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad, the meeting was attended by the Officers of Excise Department, Drug Control Organisation, Health, IMHANS, Rehabilitation Centers, Postal Department, Airport Authority and other concerned Departments.

At the outset, Deputy Commissioner emphasised the Officers to intensify the deterrence measures against the drug menace and its peddling across the District, besides destroying the channels/ networks and sources of drug peddling.

During the meeting, DC showed the concern regarding the drug abuse by students at coaching centers, hostels besides around colleges and educational hubs in the District.

He directed the Officers of District Administration and Police for proper regulation of Coaching centers, their Hostels and Households having Paid Guests.

The DC instructed for audit of coaching centers with respect to safety standards, availability of civic facilities besides verification of permission granted for running of Coaching Centers and hostels. He also directed to check the installation of CCTVs, availability of security guards, female wardens and conduct of Parent-warden meetings.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner constituted a Task Force to ensure that the safety and preventive SoPs are followed in letter and spirit in all coaching centers and hostels/ PGs.

Meanwhile, DC Srinagar instructed representatives of IMHANS to conduct capacity building training of teachers regarding identification of symptoms of drug abuse among students, counselling and give them hand on other expertise.

While directing for screening of students at schools, he sought progress of the Committees established in Educational Institutions regarding the elimination of drug menace.

Regarding rehabilitation of victims, DC designated District Social Welfare Officer as the Nodal Officer for providing logistic support for transferring of victims to rehabilitation centers besides ensuring cooperation between police, family of victim and ATF.

To ensure that all the outdoor patients/ victims receive full treatment till their complete recovery and to ensure zero drop-out, DC directs concerned representatives of IMHANS to reach out to every single drop-out individual.

Further, he directed 100% installation of CCTVs at Retail and Wholesale pharmacies besides implementation of online billing.

DC also stressed on continuous drive for destruction of poppy crop and wild bung in the District and exhorted on Agriculture Department for proving the alternate crops & seeds to farmers.

On the occasion, the Officers briefed the chair regarding the action taken by their respective Departments to achieve drug free Srinagar District.

The meeting was informed that 43 cases were registered in the District involving 72 persons. The substances seized during the current year including 1.081 kg’s of Brown Sugar, 146.24 gms of Heroin, 6.527 gms of Charas besides Psychotropic Syrup 55 bottles, Psychotropic Capsules 1592, Ganja 7.82 Kgs, poppy straw/ bung/cannabis 39.161 Kgs and cash of Rs 315345.

In addition, to tighten the noose of drug peddlers the District Police has seized 2 properties, one vehicle and two residential houses during 2024 under NDPS while bank accounts in 8 cases have been frozen in NDPS cases.