| Sopore falls to drugs, robberies | | | Syed Tahir Bukhari
SOPORE, July 23: Sopore is fast emerging as a hotbed of Multi Social Problems like drug addiction and robberies, Every day thousands of bottles of Codeine are being consumed by drug addicts and robberies are yet another cause of worry for the local traders in Sopore town of District Baramulla in North Kashmir. According to resident of Model Town Sopore, Nisar Ahmad Wani the area has became a hub of illegal activities like Drug addiction, Robbery and other various crimes which have changed the layout of town.
While sharing his views with Early Times Nisar said that, "the actual figure is much higher, and not only Coddeine but everything from Corex, Rexicop and Spasmoproxyvon to Alcohol and heroin is being consumed in the town. Suhial Ahmad a local youth, who works in an IT company in Chandigarh, says, "We seriously need a drug de-addiction centre here, drugs come all sorts of illegal activities and even immorality is rampant due to the consumption of these drugs." The residents allege that whenever anybody is arrested on drug charges he is bailed out immediately, and then he resumes his work without any hesitation or social stigma. President of Chemists and Distributors Association Sopore M.Yousf
Shah said that according to my estimate every day drugs worth Rs 1.5 crores are being consumed in the town," This is disastrous. Our entire society is threatened." A group of local traders told Early Times that increased incidents of robberies are yet another cause of worry for the local residents, especially for the traders. "During the last few years hundreds of robberies have taken place and none have been solved, Now Shopkeepers fear bringing new material due to the threat of theft."
The people of Sopore not only have problems with government agencies but the private companies also neglect them instead of lending a helping hand. "Jammu and Kashmir Bank gets business worth thousands of crores due to Sopore but where is their corporate social responsibility?" asked Wani Mehraj, a local trader. "They have constructed number of parks and other such places of recreation in other towns, but when it comes to Sopore, they have nothing to offer." The traders say that given the discrimination at the hands of government and private agencies, they have every right to raise their voices.
"We can't do anything with regards to government, but we can definitely have a rethink over doing business with JK Bank, Earlier we didn't have any option but now other banks are mushrooming," Wani alleged. |
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