Helpline boosts rural cops’ drive against peddlers

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 12

The helpline number, introduced by Amritsar rural police, for sharing information about drug peddlers has evinced good response. Since its launch on July 2, the police have received over 100 calls that have helped it in nailing drug peddlers.

“We have received 108 calls in the past eight days. Callers have shared information about drug peddlers and consumers. After verifying the details, we have admitted a number of drug abusers to de-addiction centres for treatment while stern action has been initiated against drug peddlers. Many of them have been booked,” informed Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parampal Singh. He admitted the police sometimes got hoax calls. “The police take necessary action only after verifying the facts of complaints,” SSP added.

The helpline numbers — 9888200062 and 0183-2704705 — are open 24X7 and callers’ details are kept secret.

As per the report, so far the rural police have nabbed 83 drug peddlers, out of 87, whose names figured in 74 cases registered during the 10-day long drive. Besides, during the course of investigation, the police have also identified 57 drug smugglers, who had provided contraband to consumers. They were also nominated in the FIRs. The police have booked a number of drug peddlers on charges of murder or culpable homicide.

The data revealed that since July 1, the rural police have rounded up 512 persons out of which 272 turned out to be consumers and they were admitted to de-addiction centre for treatment. Fifty of them were sent back home after administering medicine at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres.

Administration too pitches in

Amritsar: The district administration on Thursday launched a helpline (0183-2560161) where residents can share information regarding drug peddlers and addicts. The rural police had launched such a helpline around 10 days ago which has been helping it in nailing drug peddlers. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said people could call at the helpline at any time and share the information regarding drug peddlers running their network in their areas and names of the informers would be kept secret. He said people could also get information regarding de-addiction and rehabilitation centres operating in the district. 

   At present, there are 11 de-addiction centres being run by the government. They are located at Government Medical College, Lopoke, Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Majitha, Tarsikka, Manawala, Verka, Chawinda Devi and Mehta areas. For making a society free of drug abuse, people should come forward and join hands in eradicating the menace, he said. TNS