80% drugs in J&K come from across the Line of Control, says DGP Vaid ›

Jammu and Kashmir today faces narcoterrorism that is being perpetrated by Pakistan to spoil and destroy the lives of youth in the state. SP VAID, director general of police, J&K

JAMMU: Expressing grave concern over rising drug addiction among youth of Jammu and Kashmir, director general of police (DGP) SP Vaid on Saturday said that 75 - 80% drugs were being smuggled into the state from Pakistan.

“Jammu and Kashmir today faces narco-terrorism being perpetrated by Pakistan to spoil and destroy the lives of youth in the state,” the DGP said during an interactive session at a drug de-addiction centre here on Saturday.

The restive state has 744 km long Line of Control (LOC) and 198 km long International Border (IB) with Pakistan on the western front. ‘EVERYBODY MUST FIGHT DRUG MENACE’

He further said that while police has made a small beginning to eradicate the menace, everyone in the society including dug-addicts’ parents, judges, lawyers and doctors have to pitch in to ensure a drug-free state.

“We have initiated a campaign to wipe out the menace but I need support from every quarter. If a judge is convinced that the accused produced before him is a drug peddler, he must ensure a harsh punished in the larger interest of society. Similarly, I appeal to lawyers not to defend drug peddlers in the courts of law because unless and until every component of the society acts cohesively, we won’t be able to end the menace,” he said.

The DGP also put to rest the notion that majority of the psychotropic drugs come from Punjab by revealing that “only 20 25 % drugs come from Punjab”.

Vaid said that he had suggested the government to have at least 10 bedded drug de-addiction centers in every district.

He said that drug addiction in the state has assumed serious proportions.

RECORD SEIZURE

This year the state police made a record seizure of drugs worth crores in the international market. In Kashmir, the police seized 70 kg of pure quality heroin, while over 25 kg of the contraband was seized in Jammu.