Narcotourism in Kasol: Take action, HC tells HP govt

BRAZEN Court observes that there is an organised cultivation of cannabis in Kullu, says NCB not equipped to handle the drug menace

SHIMLA : The Himachal Pradesh high court , in an effort to deal with the drug menace in the state, has directed the chief secretary to file his personal affidavit regarding the unauthorised construction and running of hotels or commercial establishments without statutory sanctions, more specifically at Kullu’s Kasol, infamous for narco-tourism.

It also observed that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is not sufficiently equipped to handle the drug menace.

The court also directed the director general of police (DGP) to file the action taken report in the matter.

Acting chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice Sandeep Sharma passed these orders on a petition taken up suo moto by the court as public interest litigation (PIL) on affidavits filed by the zonal director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chandigarh, in a separate criminal appeal.

The court observed that as per reports, there is an organised cultivation of cannabis in the higher reaches in Kullu district, in the sub-division of Kullu, Sainj Valley, and there is wild growth of cannabis in Chamba, Kangra, Upper Shimla and areas adjoining Uttarakhand, but situation in Kullu-manali Valley is alarming and despite the sanction of considerable funds for destruction of illicit cannabis, the situation is very distressing.

In its earlier order, the court had directed the Kullu superintendent of police (SP) as well as the NCB zonal director on October 25 to constitute a joint task force to raid all restaurants, hotels and dhabas in and around Kasol and Malana to stop illegal activities related to drugs.

The joint task force was also directed to visit Malana village and ensure complete eradication of contraband and take action against people indulging in illegal trade of contrabands.

Kasol is a village in district Kullu situated on the banks of the Parvati river, on the way from Bhuntar to Manikaran. It is favourite spot for Israeli tourists.

COURT OBSERVATIONS The Court observed that the NCB is not sufficiently equipped to handle the drug menace.

“The destruction campaigns are merely on paper and nothing has been done on the ground by the NCB or state police for curbing the drug menace in the state,” the court observed.

The situation in the entire state is quite alarming but at present Malana village appears to be the epicentre of drug menace and immediate steps are required to be taken by agencies concerned.