Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, VK Birdi on Tuesday said preparations for the upcoming Muharram observances and Shri Amarnath Yatra are underway, with the administration holding meetings and coordinating with stakeholders to ensure smooth conduct of both events.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association in Kothibag, Birdi said several meetings have already been initiated in connection with Muharram, while neighbourhood committees are holding discussions at the district level to ensure that no difficulties are faced during the observances.
On the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, he said preparations are in progress and further details would be shared at an appropriate time.
The IGP also said the Jammu and Kashmir Police is taking strict action against drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, particularly against repeat offenders.
He said the police have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the narcotics menace, with legal action remaining the primary tool. Those involved in the purchase and sale of contraband are being dealt with sternly, while repeat offenders are being booked under the PIT-NDPS Act, he added.
Birdi said society has moved from a “denial mode to acceptance mode” regarding substance abuse, with more people now acknowledging that they or their family members have become victims of drug addiction.
He said that once victims come forward, the police, along with teachers, elders and other stakeholders, can help address the problem and facilitate rehabilitation.
Referring to the Drug-Free India campaign, the IGP said it is not merely a government initiative but a people’s movement that requires active public participation. While the police have a defined role, he said, society as a whole must contribute to the fight against drug abuse.
The programme, he added, successfully involved children and youngsters in raising awareness about the dangers of narcotics and the importance of a drug-free society.
