SRINAGAR, March 2: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal Wednesday claimed that 41 drug peddlers have been booked under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Srinagar under ‘Mission wapsi' driven to curb the menace of drugs and to break its supply chain in the district.
Addressing a joint press with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad here, SSP warned drug peddlers to either stop poisoning the young generation or leave Srinagar without delay. He said that people who are into drug peddling have no place in society at all.
“Police have lodged 41 FIRs in 2022 while 60 persons have been arrested of which 41 were booked under PSA. 21 persons were slapped with PSA on February 28th alone during a joint raid conducted by DC Srinagar and me at several drug hotspots in Srinagar,” he said adding 12 teams were constituted in this direction.
SSP Srinagar further said that civil society has a vital role to play in eradicating the menace of drugs in Srinagar to prevent youth from falling prey to it. He said the properties used to supply drugs will be seized and the owner booked under PSA.
“Properties which are either used for supplying drugs or purchased using money earned through it will be seized under 68 Narcotic Act. We would like to warn those who are into drug peddling to either refrain from poisoning the young generation or leave Srinagar at the earliest as they don't have any place in the society at all,” added SSP.
He said that a total of 200 people including big-wigs of the drug mafia and those who are into drug abuse were arrested during the drive which was launched in the direction of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir last month.
“After questioning and sustained interrogation of those arrested earlier, 200 more people were arrested while big-wigs were booked under PSA. The case is being investigated. The aim of lodging PSA was to deter them from indulging in antisocial activities in future,” said SSP.
“Unfortunately, stressed parents of those who are into substance abuse approach us for their reformation; they insist us to detain them under PSA. I request the civil society to play a role to eradicate this menace or else our youth is lost,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion DC Srinagar, Aijaz Assad said that a massive drive has been launched to curb the drug menace in Srinagar city. He said the aim of the Mission Wapsi drive which was launched under the direction of Lt Governor is aimed to bring youth who are into substance abuse back to life.
He said that a two-pronged strategy has been adopted in this regard which includes legal course and rehabilitation.
“There are two-pronged strategies including the legal side and rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse, we have rehabilitation centres linked with skill development. All the victims of drug abuse will be incorporated in self-employment schemes so that they start their life afresh with honour and dignity,” Assad said.
He also informed that an integrated social media platform has also been set up so that those who want to volunteer in Mission Wapsi drive could join hands with the administration in identifying both drug peddlers and drug abuse victims.
“This platform is also for the victims of drug abuse who wish to be rehabilitated under Mission Wapsi. We will respect their privacy. Their identity will be kept secret. We hope this mission will bear fruits,” he added.
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