Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 6: Over 1000 suspected drug peddlers have been arrested since last year in Jammu and Kashmir, where authorities have taken a number of measures to check the use of narcotics in the state, officials said today. While 504 persons were arrested this year, the number of those arrested for their alleged involvement in the sale of Narcotic substances and psychotropic substances was 542 in 2014, the officials said. They said 384 cases under NDPS were registered this year so far compared to 398 last year.
Police has filed chargesheet in the court of law against 513 persons in 2014 and 277 this year so far. While two persons were convicted in the Kashmir this year, only one was convicted, also in the Valley, last year, the officials said. They said the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar accounted for most of the arrests with 185 peddlers arrested in winter capital and 134 in the summer capital since last year.
However, Kashmir division which included the two districts of Leh and Kargil in Ladakh region witnessed slightly higher the number of those arrest for the illicit activity compared to 10 districts of Jammu region. While 578 persons were arrested in Kashmir division - 306 in 2014 and 272 this year, 468 were arrested from Jammu region which include 236 in 2014, the officials said. Ladakh region witnessed negligible activity of drug peddlers with only four persons arrested last year. The region recorded no arrest or registration of any case in connection with narcotics so far this year.
In Kashmir region, the officials said 100 peddlers were arrested in Baramulla followed by 91 in pulwama, 67 in Kulgam, 55 in Anantnag, 37 in Shopian, 34 in Bandipora, 25 in Kupwara, 19 in Budgam and 15 in Ganderbal since last year. Similarly in Jammu region, 55 drug peddlers were arrested from Udhampur district followed by 51 in Reasi, 42 Ramban, 32 Kathua, 30 Rajouri, 28 Doda, 20 in Samba, 14 Poonch and 11 Kishtwar since 2014, the officials said.
The officials said a number of steps have been taken to tackle the menace of narcotics use in the state. The measures include conduct of frequent raids and laying of nakas and surprise checks to nab the persons involved in smuggling of narcotic drugs and phychotropic substances, strict implementation of the NDPS act. |
