Expressing concern over the spread of narco terrorism by Pakistan through various states, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday proposed joint operations on the inter-state borders, as a part of series of collaborative measures to tackle the drugs menace.
Capt Amarinder, in his opening remarks at the ‘Second Regional Conference on Drug Menace – Challenges and Strategies’, the Chief Minister unveiled a detailed strategy and action plan for the eradication of the scourge, for consideration and implementation by all the participating states.
Pointing out that drug traffickers were not confined by national or state boundaries, Capt Amarinder said that Pakistan was promoting narco-terrorism to create trouble in India, with drugs being pushed in through Uri and Kandla, among other places. “Given the enormity of the problem, it was not possible for any State to tackle it alone,” he said, calling for joint efforts, with a National Drugs Policy to combat the menace.
Pointing to last month’s huge seizure of drugs at the Integrated Check Post at Attari (Amritsar), the Chief Minister said that it had exposed the existence of an active and organized drug smuggling racket and network through the Attari trade route.
“Investigations have revealed the involvement of a major international drug racket based in Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the problem had nationwide ramifications, with the northern region particularly vulnerable.
As part of the joint efforts, Capt Amarinder called for effective coordination and Joint operations with NCB, BSF and other central agencies, including the IB. “Such joint operations should be intensified to tighten the noose against big drug smugglers or suppliers, such as those involved in importing huge amount of drugs (heroin) across Indo-Pak border from Attari land port or route,” he emphasized.
Calling for a crackdown on drug factories in all the neighbouring states, he said that units manufacturing illicit synthetic drugs should be properly identified for suitable action. He also suggested that detention proposals of big drug smugglers or suppliers of all states be prepared under section 3 of PIT NDPS Act, 1988.
Advocating fast track courts for speedy trials of NDPS offenders, especially big drug smugglers or suppliers involved in commercial quantity seizures or transactions, Capt Amarinder said that the matter would be taken by Punjab Government with the Punjab and Haryana High Court while urging other states to also pursue the same.
The Chief Minister urged the neighbouring states to consider opening of a Regional Training Centre for Training of Investigators for proper investigation of NDPS cases at Chandigarh. “Existing Training Infrastructure or facilities available with Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh could be utilized for the purpose, and support could be sought from NCB and UNODC for providing Trainers or Resource persons and training material,” he suggested.
Proposing the establishment of a Regional Drug Dependence Treatment Centre in Chandigarh Tricity area, on the lines of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) AIIMS, New Delhi, Capt Amarinder suggested that the states jointly put the proposal before the Central Government.
In another important initiative, the Punjab Chief Minister mooted the development and implementation of an “information sharing platform”, for real-time sharing of information, both in physical and virtual space, in view of the fact that areas near or adjoining inter-state borders invariable become sanctuaries for smugglers, gangsters or criminals.
“Often, drug suppliers or criminals, who are residents of adjoining states, are operating in neighbouring states,” he pointed out, underlining the need for sharing of lists and morning photos of NDPS proclaimed offenders.
The Chief Minister listed building of common databases and sharing of dossiers of interstate drug smugglers, traders or peddlers among the measures for tackling the problem on a war footing.
“There is a need to share information relating to pharmaceutical opioids and synthetic drugs, as well as their factories, and also chemists or individuals supplying them,” he said.