Appreciating Government’s proposal of establishment of Anti-Narcotics Task Force in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, volunteers of Team Jammu headed by its Chairman, Zorawar Singh Jamwal today met Farooq Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor and asserted for time-bound formation of full-fledged Task Force to crush Narco-Terrorism, which is targeting younger generation at an alarming rate.
While presenting detailed account on Drug menace to Farooq Khan, Chairman, Team Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal said that drug addiction is increasing at an alarming rate in Jammu and Kashmir and has virtually assumed as most serious threat in the shape of narco-terrorism. The alarming situation can be gauged from the fact that not only big cities and town in the Union Territory of J&K, but even small village are not left untouched by the drugs mafia, which has spread its network throughout the State. He sought Special Task Force (STF) type operations to eliminate Narco-Terrorism.
“Besides people of young and different age groups, a big part of the drug victims is school and college going students who in their tender age are easy prey for drug mafia. Children below 10th class due to their tender age are easy target of this mafia and are getting addict of this chemical poison at a shocking rate. Despite various incidents and representations, the concerned agencies have deliberately turned a Nelson’s eye towards this severe issue,” pointed out Chairman, Team Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal while presenting a memorandum to Farooq Khan, demanding time-bound formation of Task Force to neutralize Narco-Terrorism.
Team Jammu chief further reminded Advisor to Lt Governor, Farooq Khan, the days of late 80s and early 90s, when terrorism was at its peak and said that “it were you, who played a key role in formation of Special Task Force (STF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) from J&K Police department, which effectively neutralized the terrorist related activities to a great extent”.
“Now, besides countering terrorism, there is utmost need to evolve a mechanism to wipe out Narco-Terrorism with iron hands. And it can only be possible, if full- fledged State Narcotic Control Bureau or Anti-Narcotics Task Force is established in Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay. The Anti-Task Force shall be headed by officer of the rank of IGP and having SSPs level officers for each Zone on the pattern of NCB,” said Zorawar Singh Jamwal and added that “Existing old laws in the State against menace of drugs (Narcotic substances) have failed to bring proper distinction between victim and accused and also failed to curb the network of drug mafia in the region. To register its presence, Police makes seizure of drugs and also apprehend a few accused once in a while, but no thorough investigation is made to arrest the big fishes and real culprits, who are operating this racket with links from across the border. In view of these facts, we are of firm opinion that there is dire need of establishing a Narcotics Control Bureau in J&K on the analogy of Anti-Corruption Bureau, Special Task Force (STF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) for tightening noose around the drug mafia and apprehend the real culprits, who are spreading narco terrorism in the Union Territory”.
Advisor to Lt Governor, Farooq Khan, appreciated the working of volunteers of Team Jammu in past five years spreading awareness campaign pertaining to ill-effects of drug abuse. He asserted that civil society as whole must come forward and help government in eradicating drug menace. He assured that government would explore all possibilities to wipe out narco-terrorism from J&K.
Bharat Sharma, Er Chandan Datta, Dr Ashish Gupta and Sunil Singh Raipuria were among others present on the occasion.