HP Police set up teams to crack down on rave parties in Kullu
The district administration has set up dedicated teams to keep a check on drug cartels that cultivate cannabis and poppy
SHIMLA: Ahead of the year-end tourist rush in the hill state, the Kullu police has constituted squads to keep tabs on rave parties that have gained notoriety for illicit drug trade.
The rapidly increasing drug menace in the district has been a cause of concern for successive governments, but they have failed to chalk out an effective strategy to contain the drug cartels that have been active in the region for past three decades.
Taking cognisance of the suo moto public interest litigation (PIL), the Himachal Pradesh high court had on Tuesday pulled up the administration in Kullu over the rave party culture which continues unabated in the district.
The court specifically questioned the state government as to how the district administration allowed such parties in Kasol, a village infamous for narco-tourism.
Kasol, a popular tourist destination for Israelis, known as ‘mini Israel’ has over 100 eateries that have come up in the village in recent times. Many of these are being run without permission from the tourism department. Over the years it has become infamous for narco trade.
The district administration has set up dedicated teams to keep a check on drug cartels that cultivate cannabis and poppy.
“The teams have been directed to file weekly action taken reports,” said Yunus, Kullu deputy commissioner.
Speaking to HT, Kullu superintendent of police Shalini Agnihotri said, “The parties are organised in places, which are inaccessible by road and it is usually a 30-40 minute trek.” The SP added: “Police have also asked the district administration to crack down on restaurants running without permission.”
This year, police have arrested 167 persons under the NDPS Act of which 137 were Indians and 30 foreigners.