NARCOTICS CASES INCREASED BY 45% IN THREE YEARS, SHOWS GOVT DATA

JAIPUR: In last three years, the number of narcotics cases has increased by 45.42% in Rajasthan, reveals the official data tabled in the state assembly.

However, the state government claims that the high number of cases were due to the department’s pro-activeness in registering the cases.

In 2018, 1,878 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), which increased to 2,589 in 2019. In 2020, irrespective of the fact that the state was under lockdown for a long period, 2,731 cases were lodged under the Act.

“There has been an increase in the action against illegal drug trade in the state. In 2018, 2,589 cases were registered, in 2019, 1,878 and 2731 in 2020. It cannot be said that there has been an increase in the illegal drug trade in the state,” reads the reply stated by government in assembly.

The highest number of cases were registered in Sri Ganganagar district, which shares border with Punjab. Following Sri Ganganagar was Hanumangarh, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur rural and Bikaner.

In 2018, 180 cases were registered by the Sri Ganganagar police under the NDPS Act, followed by 254 in 2019 and 296 in 2020.

Similarly, in Hanumangarh, a total of 538 NDPS cases were registered between 2018 and 2020, 486 in Chittorgarh, 377 cases in Jodhpur rural and 280 cases in Bikaner.

“Effective action is being taken by border police stations to effectively stop the patrolling and blockade to prevent illicit drug trade. Social Justice and Empowerment Department Raj is running drug-free India campaign to stop substance abuse in state,” the reply reads.

A senior police official said that Sri Ganganagar sand Hanumangarh not only shares border with Punjab but are highly influenced by both positive and negatives characters of Punjab.

“Along with a decent population of Punjabi speaking people, larges swathes of green field but just like the bordering states, the youngsters are falling into grip of substance abuse,” the police official said.

He added that large consignments of drugs in the form of tablets like Tramadol and Alprozone are consumed illegally by youngsters.

“These tablets are restricted under NDPS Act and are also sold at medical shop illegally,” the official said.