Punjab should get bigger share from smugglers’ attached properties: DGP
Arora says in lieu of ₹220cr properties attached in 4 yrs, Centre gave the state just ₹72L
Properties worth over ₹220 crore of drug smugglers arrested by the Punjab Police have been attached in the past four years, but the entire amount has gone to the Union government, said director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora during a de-addiction programme organised by the Khanna police in Doraha here on Friday.
The DGP said the state government has received only ₹72 lakh in return, hitting its initiatives against drug abuse.
Arora said he will take up the matter with the state government as whatever the smugglers earn is from addicts living in the state and the amount should be used in Punjab only. If more amount is given to the state government, it will help its fight against drugs, said the top cop.
‘HELP POLICE CURB DRUG TERRORISM’
Arora also called upon the public to assist police in eradicating “drug terrorism” from the state the same way they assisted in eliminating militancy.
Punjab is passing through a phase of change at the moment, the DGP said, adding that during this positive change, a large number of addicts are coming forward themselves to shun drugs.
Arora asserted that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily come to drug de-addiction centres as police have been told not to go to the centres to conduct any inquiry.
Sharing his own experience, Arora said when he joined the department 36 years back, he used to take the help of local gurdwaras and panchayats to bring back petty criminals to mainstream.
“Now, again we can use religion to save the youth. Addicts should be brought in front of their family or community members to urge them to give up drugs. The government is also opening skill development centres for addicts,” he said.