Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday intensified its anti-drug campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, conducting awareness programmes, inspections of medical shops and wild cannabis eradication drives across Handwara, Pulwama and Sopore, while Awantipora Police detained a terror associate and a habitual drug peddler under preventive detention laws.
In Handwara, Police organised a drug awareness programme at Government High School Nowgam under the jurisdiction of Police Station Qalamabad, educating students about the harmful effects of substance abuse and encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles. Police also inspected medical shops in Handwara to ensure compliance with regulations governing the sale of prescription medicines and directed shopkeepers to maintain proper records.
As part of the anti-narcotics campaign, Handwara Police, along with civil society members and volunteers, destroyed wild hemp plants growing in various areas under the jurisdiction of Police Station Handwara to curb the source of narcotic substances.
In Pulwama, Police Post Newa, in coordination with the Revenue Department and village Numberdars, conducted a wild cannabis destruction drive in Singu Narbal and Dafferpora villages, where cannabis plants growing on government land were destroyed in the presence of officials, volunteers and local stakeholders. Police also organised an anti-drug awareness programme at Sheikh-ul-Alam High School, Rahmoo, sensitising students and staff about the dangers of drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Sopore Police, in collaboration with the Revenue and Excise Departments, destroyed wild cannabis during a special drive at Reban as part of the anti-drug campaign.
Separately, Awantipora Police booked a terror associate under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and a habitual drug peddler under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
Police identified the terror associate as Suhail Farooq Lone alias Sahba, a resident of Nigeenpora Reshipora, Tral, who was detained and lodged in District Jail Bhaderwah after preventive detention orders were issued. According to Police, he was involved in providing logistical support, shelter and transportation to terrorist outfits operating in the area.
The drug peddler, Manzoor Ahmad Mir alias Mana Tiger, a resident of Kadlabal, Pampore, was detained under the PIT-NDPS Act and lodged in Central Jail Kot Bhalwal, Jammu. Police said he is a habitual offender with multiple NDPS cases and was allegedly involved in supplying narcotic substances to youth in Pampore and other parts of Awantipora.
Police reiterated their commitment to dismantling terror networks and curbing drug trafficking through sustained preventive action, while urging the public to cooperate by sharing information related to terrorism and narcotics.(KINS)
