Police and the civil administration on Friday demolished an alleged illegal commercial property belonging to a suspected drug peddler in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district as part of the ongoing crackdown against narcotics trafficking, officials said.
The demolition drive targeted shops allegedly constructed on government land near Dewal Bridge along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Samroli area.
Officials said the structures belonged to Trilochan Dutt, who has allegedly been involved in multiple drug smuggling cases and had encroached upon state land to raise the commercial property.
The action was carried out jointly by the district administration and Udhampur Police following an eviction order issued by the revenue authorities.
Speaking to reporters, SDPO Chenani, DSP Sukhvir Singh said the property, estimated to be worth around Rs 10 lakh, belonged to a person repeatedly named in drug-peddling activities.
“We have received information against him on several occasions regarding his involvement in drug peddling. Through today’s action, we want to send a clear message that no drug peddler will be allowed to enjoy property acquired or developed through illegal activities,” Singh said.
He said police and civil authorities are identifying and proceeding against illegal assets linked to drug traffickers.
Properties found to be unlawfully built on state land are being removed under relevant provisions of the Land Revenue Act, while other assets are being attached under applicable legal provisions, he added.
According to the officer, an FIR had earlier been registered against Dutt at Chenani Police Station based on reports regarding his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
The officer further said the civil administration, acting through the tehsildar, had recently ordered eviction of the encroached property, following which the joint demolition drive was launched.
Officials said the action forms part of the administration’s broader campaign against drug trafficking and illegal encroachments in the district.(KINS)
