Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom today chaired the 33rd meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Circuit House Pulwama to review the progress achieved under the ongoing anti-drug campaign and assess the implementation of various measures aimed at curbing drug abuse and illicit cultivation in the district.
At the outset, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Pulwama presented a detailed overview of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), highlighting its objectives, key interventions and activities being undertaken under the ongoing 100-day intensive campaign being implemented across the district under the abhiyan. The presentation focused on awareness activities, community participation, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement measures being carried out by different stakeholder departments.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner appreciated all departments and stakeholders for the successful conduct of the Mega Padyatra led by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Pulwama on May 19, which witnessed overwhelming public participation and highlighted the collective resolve against drug abuse.
The DC sought detailed Action Taken Reports from all departments regarding the implementation of the action plan formulated under the 100-day intensive campaign. He stressed the need for sustained and coordinated efforts to ensure the objectives of the campaign are achieved in a time-bound manner.
Reviewing the measures undertaken to achieve the objectives of the campaign, Dr. Qayoom sought detailed reports from all Tehsildars regarding destruction drives, sensitization of field functionaries, mobilization of Numberdars and Chowkidars, and awareness activities conducted at the grassroots level. The Tehsildars informed the chair that certifications declaring villages free from illicit poppy cultivation had been received from the field functionaries. The DC directed them to constitute verification committees and conduct thorough ground-level re-verification before final certification.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the activities being conducted at the Panchayat level under the campaign and sought details from the Assistant Commissioner Development and Block Development Officers regarding public participation, outreach programmes and awareness events organized across rural areas. He directed the officers to intensify activities, prepare a comprehensive action plan and organize multiple awareness programmes at different locations within Panchayats to ensure maximum outreach and community involvement.
Officers from the Education and Health Departments briefed the meeting about the awareness initiatives being conducted in educational institutions and healthcare facilities. The DC emphasized the importance of involving youth, students, parents and community leaders in the campaign to build a strong social movement against drug abuse.
The functioning of the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) Pulwama and Drug De-Addiction Centre Tral was also reviewed in detail. The meeting discussed the status of OPD and IPD services, admissions, rehabilitation and relapse management. It was informed that rehabilitated individuals are being linked with various Government-sponsored schemes and educational institutions to facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to ensure continued follow-up and support for recovered individuals.
The DC also reviewed the progress achieved in the destruction of wild cannabis and sought details from the Forest, Public Works and other concerned Departments regarding measures undertaken in this regard. He directed the concerned departments to intensify field inspections and ensure complete eradication of wild cannabis from identified areas.
The Assistant Drug Controller apprised the meeting about inspections conducted across medical establishments, enforcement actions taken, and measures adopted to prevent misuse of pharmaceutical drugs. The DC directed the concerned authorities to further strengthen monitoring mechanisms and intensify enforcement drives across the district.
On the occasion, Senior Superintendent of Police Pulwama, Tanushree, and Senior Superintendent of Police Awantipora, Sajad Ahmad Shah, briefed the chair on the enforcement measures undertaken by the Police, including registration of NDPS cases, arrests, seizures, attachment and destruction of properties acquired through drug proceeds, suspension and cancellation of passports and driving licences, Aadhaar recommendations and other stringent actions taken against drug peddlers and traffickers.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the status of NDPS cases in the district, including cases under investigation, prosecution and trial. The DC directed the concerned agencies to strengthen coordination between investigation and prosecution to bridge procedural gaps and ensure effective legal follow-up in NDPS cases, with a view to improving conviction rates and deterrence.
Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner called for intensifying the campaign and stressed greater inter-departmental coordination, community participation and sustained enforcement to effectively combat the menace of drug abuse and narcotics trafficking in the district.
Among others, the meeting was attended by SSP Pulwama Tanushree, SSP Awantipora Sajad Ahmad Shah, ADC Pulwama, ADC Awantipora, ACD Pulwama, Divisional Forest Officer, Executive Engineers of R&B Divisions Pulwama and Awantipora, Tehsildars, Block Development Officers and other members of the committee.