Squeeze poppy cultivators, drug traffickers, J&K minister

Srinagar: Expressing serious concern over alarming rise in consumption and cultivation of illicit drugs in south Kashmir, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani called for imposition of complete ban on cultivation of poppy.
He, However, lauded the role of police against the poppy cultivators in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama.
Mr Wani, chairing a review meeting of south Kashmir Range at Anantnag today, called for imposition of complete ban on cultivation of poppy in South Kashmir districts, which have borne the brunt of drug menace over the past few years.
He lauded the efforts of police in destruction of poppy cultivation spread over thousands of kanals across South Kashmir.
He expressed serious concern over alarming rise in consumption of illicit drugs in Anantnag and adjoining districts.
The Minister asked the police authorities to squeeze the activities of people involved in poppy cultivation and narcotics trade.
“The menace of drug addiction has gripped the Valley with mostly youngsters falling into the trap. We need to put an end to this menace and crack down on poppy cultivators and drug traffickers,” he maintained.
Jammu and Kashmir has arrested more than 40 drug smugglers, including about a dozen residents of Punjab, during the past six months and recovered thousands of kgs of poppy straw, bhang, charas, brown sugar in the Kashmir valley. Majority of these arrests were made in Anantnag and Pulwama districts on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
The divisional commissioner, Kashmir, has also booked 24 drug smugglers under Public Safety Act (PSA) since December last year.
Jammu and Kashmir police Drug De-Addiction centre, Police Control Room (PCR) has yesterday organized a drug de-addiction counseling cum Treatment camp at general bus stand, Batamaloo.
About 200 drug addicts, including drivers and conductors were treated at the camp.(UNI)