Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 21: In yet another instance of providing safe haven to anti-social elements by none other than the law enforcing authorities, a Senior Superintendent of Police posted in one of the districts of Jammu division is hobnobbing with the drug dealers and facilitating their unlawful activities.
According to sources, the SSP has let off two narcotic smugglers in the last one month after taking hefty amount adding that a motorcycle of one of the smugglers is still parked outside the office of the Special Branch though he had left a few days ago.
"Ironically, the cops who had arrested the smuggler were presented with cash reward, however, after few days their catch was allowed to leave," said sources.
Sources informed that several cases of narcotic smuggling are reported in this district but for the past few years, there has been a fall in apprehending those smugglers who are involved in the business of exporting and importing heroin.
"In order to strangulate the movement of narcotic smugglers, the SSP handed over such operations to the Special Branch and within a month of getting the command, the Branch personnel managed to nab two notorious smugglers along with huge consignment of banned substance. In return, the SSP handed over cash prize worth Rs 2000 each to the jawans who had caught the smugglers," said sources.
"In the meantime, the SSP directed the concerned police station not to register a case against the apprehended smugglers. One of the smugglers was kept in custody at the police station for a day without a case being registered against him. The smuggler was allowed to leave the police station next day by the SHO following instructions of the SSP," added sources.
Sources said, however, the smuggler's motorcycle is still inside the police station adding that after this episode another smuggler was caught along with a consignment of drugs. He was kept in the office for a day and later, he was also allowed to go scot free as no case was registered against him.
In this way, two smugglers were saved from legal scrutiny within a month; said sources adding that SSP's actions have become a hot topic of discussion for other senior cops of the district.
Sources further said that although the SSP when joined the district had vowed to eliminate the smugglers and called for strict action against those involved in smuggling narcotics, but as soon as he took over the charge, the Special Branch was established and told to take stringent action against the smugglers.
"But now when the Special Branch is successfully doing its job of nabbing the smugglers, the SSP is taking advantage of such catches by settling secret cash deals with the smugglers. The SSP's game plan is not only reaping benefits for him but it is also giving a sigh of relief to the smugglers, who are now openly operating in the area without any fear in their minds," said sources. |
