340% increase in drug smuggling cases in Himachal in the last decade: CM Sukhu
CM Sukhu joined the meeting chaired by the Home Minister virtually from Nadaun. Image Source: IPR Department
CM Sukhu took part virtually in the conference on drug smuggling and national security, Home Minister Shah presided
Shimla, (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 12 (Diary Times):
Border areas are becoming the center of drug smuggling, neighboring states will have to fight together: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the interstate border areas have become the center of illegal activities. These activities will have to be dealt with together.
Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to deal with drug smuggling, CM Sukhu said that such activities lead to organized crime and terrorism, which poses a threat to the country.
CM Sukhu on Saturday took part virtually from Nadaun in the regional conference organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau on drug smuggling and national security in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the regional conference.
CM Sukhu focused on the relationship between drug smuggling and national security in the conference, with special attention to the eight northern states and the Union Territory.
On this occasion, CM Sukhu outlined Himachal’s multi-pronged strategy to control drugs by integrating law enforcement, public health, rehabilitation and judicial reforms. CM Sukhu said that people suffering from drug addiction are not criminals by nature. Our approach should be to move beyond punitive measures and develop a strong rehabilitation framework.
The state legislature has amended Section 37 of the NDPS Act, 1985, to remove legal loopholes that allow habitual offenders to obtain bail. The state government has taken a tough stand against drug trafficking. The implementation of the Prevention of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act in the state has tightened the noose on illegal trafficking.
This Act enables the detention of criminals involved in drug trafficking cases.
CM Sukhu said that the government has seized illegally acquired property worth Rs 16 crore in the last three years. With the support of the people, dedication of law enforcement agencies, we can make Himachal a drug-free state.
Special task force will prevent drug-related crimes
CM Sukhu said that a special task force will be formed in the state to prevent crimes related to narcotics and drugs, which will have special autonomy and dedicated police stations. He said that cooperation with neighboring states and the Center will prove to be important in eliminating the smuggling network active on regional borders.
Drug smuggling cases increased by 340 percent in a decade
CM Mukhu said that in Himachal, there has been a 340% increase in drug smuggling cases in the last decade. From 500 cases in 2012, it increased to 2,200 cases in the year 2023. Heroin cases increased by 29% in the year 2020 which increased to 50% in the year 2024.
Dark web, cryptocurrency, drones pose challenges for the country in drug smuggling: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplace and drones remain a challenge for the country. Strict steps will have to be taken regarding these.
While chairing the conference, Shah said that the government will not allow even a single kg of narcotics to be smuggled in or out of the country. The government has not only succeeded in eliminating many drug networks, but has also destroyed the terrorism associated with them. Narco-terrorism cases were busted in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and these are major achievements.
Shah said that the fight against drugs has got new strength under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. There has been a seven-fold increase in drug seizures in the last 10 years.
Inauguration of Drug Disposal Fortnight till January 25
The aim of the conference is to address the growing concern of drug smuggling and its impact on national security. In this, special attention will be given to eight states and union territories of North India.
Shah also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, which will run from Saturday to January 25. He said that during this period, one lakh kilograms of drugs worth Rs 8,600 crore will be destroyed.
Diary Times is now on Whatsapp Channels. Click here to join
The Home Minister also inaugurated the new office complex of the Bhopal regional unit of the NCB and the expansion of the Manas-2 helpline to all 36 states and union territories.
States should ruthlessly destroy illegal drug factories: Shah;Â said – Drugs worth Rs 16,914 crore seized in 2024, the highest since independence
The Modi government at the Centre is adopting a zero tolerance policy against drug abuse. Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed all states to strictly destroy illegal drug laboratories and take strict legal action against them.
Addressing the regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’, Shah also said that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police have taken the biggest action against drugs across the country by seizing drugs worth Rs 16,914 crore in 2024, the highest since independence.
The Home Minister stressed the importance of preparing district-level strategies and setting up mechanisms to systematically increase cases, which will increase the effectiveness of the campaign. 24,00,000 kg of drugs seized between 2014- 24
Home Minister Shah said that the Narcotics Control Bureau and the police have taken the biggest action against drugs in 2024, which is an important step towards becoming a drug-free society. A total of 3.63 lakh kg of drugs were seized during 2004-14, while a total of 24 lakh kg of drugs were seized during 2014-24.
(Diary Times– Shimla’s independent hyperlocal community news website covering local news, stories, events, food, music, fashion, sports, nightlife, entertainment & more since 2019 is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join Diary Times Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
