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| Black Money funds J&K’s 20% terror apparatus: Expert | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Sep 11
Even when the economies are slump, the scourge of Pakistan aided and sponsored militancy in Jammu and Kashmir maintains its level –it is the black money which keep the gun funded if not fully.
Experts believe that 15 per cent to 25 per cent of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is funded by the sales of narcotics which have a vicious cycle running across several countries.
Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a soft target of the narco terrorism as the militants not only carry the money out of the sales of narcotics they also find local clients in the state. Thousands of youth in Jammu and Kashmir are addicted to drugs who often fall in the trap of militants, say the experts.
“Drug proceeds are laundered through numerous legal and illegal financial institutions and petty business enterprises”, said MK Sharma, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir while delivering a lecture at Jammu University’s Centre for Adult, Continuing Education & Extension. He said, “Pakistan has been trying hard to pump in drugs, fake currency and arms and ammunition into Jammu and Kashmir for the past so many years”, and added, “besides logistics and weapons, Pakistan spends Rs. 20 to 30 crores per month on payment to militants”. In fact, right from 1947 to 2003, the Inter Services Intelligence, army and the Pakistan government are together in "Operation Terrorism" be it in J&K, Punjab or in Assam.
Sharma recalled that in January 2002, Phagwara police arrested five persons including two surrendered militants of Hizbul Mujahideen with 20 kgs of charas. In May 2003, Narcotics Control Bureau, Delhi arrested Mohammed Amin Jaffer of Bijbehara, Ananatnag who is an active member of Al Jehad outfit with 25 kgs of charas. He said there is a strong nexus of terrorists and narcotics in J&K.
Referring to the cultivation of poppy and cannabis in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in South Kashmir districts of Pulwama and Anatnag, Mr. Sharma informed that though licenses have been issued to cultivators in South Kashmir, these licenses are being abused by the growers. The geography of the region gives it ample scope to have a good crop of cannabis which are grown in abundance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Sharma also informed that there are about 400 million drug abusers worldwide and the total illicit drug trade worldwide is worth 800 billion US dollars. The cost of one kg of heroin in neighboring countries is about $ 2870 (approximately Rs 1.35 lakh) and in the USA $ 290,000 (approximately Rs 1.36 crore).
"India which is situated between South-East Asia (The Golden Triangle) and South-West Asia (the Golden Crescent), is the largest global producer of licit cultivation of poppy and the sale producer of Opium gum in the world. Besides, the Golden Triangle (Laos, Burma, Thailand), and the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran) which is notorious for drug trafficking, produces an estimate 90 per cent of the world's illicit opium," informed the NCB zonal director adding as India shares 2747 kms border with Pakistan, 1634 kms with Myanmar, 4127 kms with Bangladesh and 1751 kms with Nepal, it is a suitable corridor for narcotics trade and narcotics sale and marketing as well. A total of 1652 metric tonne of opium was produced in 2006-2007.
He said Heroin, cocaine and marijuana are uncomplicated drugs and cheap to produce but because they are illegal and therefore risky to supply, they can earn more than their weight in gold on the vast international black market. He also added that world's most sought after terrorist Osama bin Laden has reportedly advocated using narcotics trafficking to weaken societies them with addictive drugs.
Earlier, Professor Poonam Dhawan, Director, Centre for Adult, Continuing Education and Extension, University of Jammu, in her welcome addressed, said that drug abuse has been a major theme area of CACE&E on which they have been working in entire Jammu province for the past so many years. She said drug abuse is a major problem among youth of the country and the society has a greater responsibility in checking this growing menace. |
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