Judge to aid as Sirsa battles drug abuse

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Sirsa, June 17

Battling a surge in drug addiction in Sirsa district — situated at the tri-junction of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan — the police’s narcotic control mission has got a boost, courtesy a judicial officer.

Dr Ram Niwas Bharti, the District and Sessions Judge, has launched twin efforts of counselling of prisoners in district jails as well as launching a campaign in drug-affected villages of the district.

Sirsa and the neighbouring Fatehabad district, which are increasingly being used by traffickers to smuggle in narcotics from Rajasthan to Punjab, have become the hub of drugs and pharmaceutical intoxicants.

Dr Bharti inaugurated a rehabilitation centre in the district jail for drug addicts last week, where he told inmates how drugs not only ruined families, but were also eating into the vitals of society. “When the head of a family falls into a drug trap, the entire family has to bear the brunt. You should shun the path of drugs and lead a new life after your release,” he said.

Later, he announced that an awareness drive will be launched in various villages of the district through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

“During my visits to Sirsa District Jail for inspection, I was shocked to learn that over 15 per cent of the inmates had been arrested for trafficking narcotics, purchasing or storing these for their consumption. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 has a provision of a jail term from 10 to 20 years, besides heavy fine. There is no provision of bail. Once arrested, a person’s entire life is spent in jail. My efforts are aimed at ensuring that the youth do not spoil their lives owing to lack of awareness,” said Dr Bharti.

Sirsa SSP Hamid Akhtar, too, has launched a campaign named “Prabal Prahar” against drugs and even takes drug-related complaints on Facebook. Only on June 9, DGP BS Sandhu complemented Akhtar for his efforts.

“The menace of drugs, narcotic substances and illicit liquor is rampant in Sirsa. The results of Operation Prabal Prahar have been very positive. More than 55 FIRs have lodged against drug peddlers, more than 80 have been arrested,” SSP Akhtar said.

Expressing concern over how the drug problem has now permeated to the village level, he said, “Drugs spare no one. A policeman’s son died of drug overdose in Fatehabad last week. It’s a huge challenge.” Welcoming steps initiated by the judiciary, the SP said all sections of society need to be part of the fight against drugs.