Raids, arrests no bar, narcotics trade unabated in Rohtak

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 12

Despite frequent raids, registration of cases and arrest of drug peddlers by the police under the NDPS Act, the sale of narcotic drugs is going on unabated in Khokhra Kot, Rainak Pura, Indira Colony, Gandhi Camp, Kartarpura and certain other pockets of Rohtak.

As per police record, as much as 267.68 kg of narcotic drugs, apart from a large quantity of medical intoxicants, were seized in 2018 and 2019.

Thanks to the easy availability of drugs and other intoxicants, school, college and university students and other youngsters are falling prey to drug abuse, which is a cause of concern.

“A number of youngsters visit our centre for de-addiction. They tell us that narcotic drugs are openly sold in certain localities of the city. Besides, they get certain medical drugs, like cough syrups, sleep-inducing tablets and capsules and pain-killer injections, from medical stores and use these as intoxicants,” said NS Deswal, project director at Red Cross Centre for De-addiction and Rehabilitation, Rohtak.

As per a study conducted by consultants at the State Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, a considerable number of children in their teens, mainly students and school dropouts, have reported for treatment at the centre in the recent years.

Sandeep Khirwar, Haryana ADGP-cum-Rohtak Range Inspector-General of Police, said based on tip-offs, the police had been conducting raids and arresting drug-peddlers from the pockets notorious for sale of drugs in the city, apart from seizing big consignments of drugs being smuggled from other states.

“The Haryana Government has also set up a Narcotics Control Bureau to curb the menace. We will take effective steps to comply with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recent order to target the ‘big fish’ involved in narcotic trade,” he asserted.

The district police authorities have appealed to the residents to inform the Police Control Room on phone numbers 100, 01262-228113, 9996464100 or their nearest police station if they come across any instance of sale, purchase or possession of narcotic drugs. The residents can also inform the Anti-Narcotic Cell on WhatsApp No. 8307202071.