12th UT Level NCORD Meeting
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 7: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo highlighted the importance of rigorous enforcement of relevant legislation, adequate rehabilitation of victims, and extensive awareness campaigns to effectively combat the drug crisis in the Union Territory.
During the 12th UT Level NCORD Committee meeting, the Chief Secretary advocated for a united approach in addressing this pressing issue.
Attendees included the DG of Police, Principal Secretary of Home, ACS of Jal Shakti Department, Principal Secretary of School Education Department, ADGP Crime, ADGP Headquarters, Divisional Commissioner for Kashmir/Jammu, ADGP Jammu, IGP Kashmir, Commissioner Secretary for Social Welfare, Commissioner Secretary for Forests, Secretary of Health, Secretary of RDD, Secretary of Law, Zonal Director of NCB, District Deputy Commissioners, District SSPs, representatives from BSF, ED, SIA alongside other senior civil and police officers, with outstation officers participating online.
Dulloo stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts between the civil administration and the Police Department to eliminate this societal menace. He asserted that enforcing strict measures against drug traffickers would serve as a potent deterrent for anyone involved in this illicit trade. He urged investigative and prosecutorial bodies to build robust cases against such nefarious elements.
He noted that sluggish investigations and inadequate prosecutions often result in premature acquittals. He called on the Police Department to enhance the skills of both Investigation Officers and Public Prosecutors to ensure that cases against offenders lead to convictions in court.
The Chief Secretary also urged strict actions against police officers who fail to construct strong cases against drug dealers. He stated that government employees implicated in NDPS cases should face appropriate consequences as per existing laws.
He inquired from each SSP about bail/acquittal cases challenged in higher judicial forums, insisting that all such orders be contested in superior courts.
He remarked that the goal of every investigation should be to achieve successful convictions by adhering to the necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from the point of seizure throughout the legal proceedings. He also cited several Supreme Court directives aimed at safeguarding the nation from this threat.
He mentioned that the burden of proof in NDPS cases lies with the accused, thus the police must apply enforcement laws diligently to rid the region of this affliction. He called for an audit of each case leading to acquittals to accurately assign accountability for any identified lapses.
Dulloo highlighted the necessity for inpatient drug de-addiction facilities in all district hospitals moving forward, along with outpatient facilities in most healthcare establishments. He urged the Health Department to provide the best counseling and treatment options for victims, both online and offline. He also called on relevant Departments to collaborate with School Education and Higher Education Departments to raise awareness among students.
DG Police Nalin Prabhat discussed the significant shifts in handling investigations under the NDPS and PITNDPS Acts. He noted that initiatives against offenders have drastically increased due to the Department’s focused efforts to combat this illicit trade.
He further mentioned that the attachment of properties and other stringent measures implemented by the police are yielding visible results on the ground. While acknowledging that there is always room for improvement, he commended the Department for its diligent work in this area.
Principal Secretary of Home, Chandraker Bharti, suggested that the police department fully utilize national platforms like NIDAAN to uncover the forward and backward links of cases. He noted the efficiency of PITNDPS in addressing this illegal practice after the Department structured its SOPs.
He further highlighted that timely appeals against bail orders would be an effective strategy to deter traders. He also advocated for the attachment of properties belonging to drug dealers, as well as the simultaneous creation of red entries in revenue records for such immovable assets.
During the meeting, IG Crime Sunil Kumar presented the Department’s performance against drug-related issues, revealing that illegal assets valued at Rs 12.04 crore were attached in 2024, with properties worth Rs 50 crore currently in the attachment process. Concerning action against drug kingpins, it was reported that 274 were booked under PIT NDPS in 2024 compared to 270 in 2023 and 195 in 2022.
Regarding punitive measures against employees involved in NDPS cases, the meeting was informed that 15 civil employees (out of 143 cases), 69 police personnel (out of 175), and 9 army personnel disembodied (out of 19 cases) faced repercussions for their involvement in NDPS cases.
