Police dealing with drug offenders strictly, says DGP

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 13

Himachal Director General of Police SR Mardi today said the police were dealing with drug offenders strictly as a result of which seizure was increasing every year.

He admitted that drug addiction in the state was at an alarming stage and curbing heroin and cannabis trade had become a challenge. “Drugs are being supplied from other states and the dealers are both domestic and foreigners. But, the police have tightened their noose on drug offenders and several kingpins have been put behind bars,” Mardi said.

The police are planning to register the NDPS cases under culpable homicide for stricter punishment to drug offenders. Frequent awareness campaigns are being organised under different police stations to inform people about the harmful effects of drug abuse. “In schools, we have started ‘Student Police Cadets’ schemes in which students will be trained to assist police personnel in curbing drug menace and regulating traffic,” Mardi said.

He said: “To ensure involvement of common public at the grassroots level to eradicate drug menace, the police will constitute ‘Nasha Nivaran Samitis’, who will play a crucial role in checking drug dealings at the village level. These samitis will inform the police about drug offenders active in their area. The parents should also keep an eye on their children and educational institutions should educate children about ill-effects of drugs.”

Besides drugs, the police are working on reducing the number of road accidents in the state for which traffic rules will be implemented strictly.

Mardi said: “I am meeting the SHOs across the state quarterly and listening to their grievances and suggestions to strengthen the police functioning. Besides being fruitful, these meetings are helping the department bridge the gap between senior and junior officers.”