40% inmates in Punjab jails facing drug charge: Official

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 20

Making a statement on the status of drug abuse in the state, the head of the Special Task Force (STF) ADGP Gurpreet Deo said; “Punjab is definitely not a drug-free state presently, and after the intervention of technology, the narco terrorism has increased manifolds.”

She also said,“Also, instead of police, the criminals and drug peddlers were benefiting more from the technology, therefore, the police need to adopt new tactics to fight drug menace. “ She also claimed that a list of 143 smugglers involved in the recovery of 2 kg or above heroin and 90 per cent of these criminals were in the prison.

The STF against drugs was constituted in April 2017 as the nodal agency for ensuring effective action against drug abuse.

While displaying his presentation, B Chandra Shekhar IGP/STF said, around 40 per cent offenders locked up in the prisons of the state are either drug peddlers or drug abusers. However, rather than catching the big kingpins, the cops have arrested offenders who were involved in the supply of very small quantity of intoxicants. The police need to make sure that the main supply of drugs is restricted in the state and its major dealers should be caught, Chandra Shekhar added.

He also briefed the Investigation Officers (IOs) and Ground Officers (GOs) about the minor details of the NDPS Act and the offences and penalties associated with the quantities of intoxicants recovered.

IPS, IGP/ STF Promod Ban in his presentation quoted that since 2016, a steep rise was observed in the figures of number of FIRs, persons arrested in drug related cases and the number of drug seizures. When compared to the time period between 2016-17 to 2017-18, the rate of FIR increased to 135.3 per cent and the seizure of heroin rose to 214.9 per cent between the same period.

Also, this year, from January 1 to March 17, 2,463 persons have been registered under the NDPS Act, he reported. Therefore, he added that the illegal supply of drugs needed to be restrained. He also stressed upon the action to be taken against the police officials for collusion, inefficiency and ineffectiveness in the drive against drugs.

The officials of STF were here for a one-day training course on the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Around 47 GOs and 88 officials of Punjab Police participated in the course which was conducted in Punjab Armed Police headquarters today.

Catch the big fish in NDPS cases

Around 40 per cent offenders locked up in the prisons of the state are either drug peddlers or drug abusers. However, rather than catching the big kingpins, usually the offenders who were involved in the supply of very small quantity of intoxicants get caught. The police need to ensure that major dealers of drugs are brought to book. Around 47 ground officers and 88 officials of Punjab Police participated in the course today.