Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur on Friday said that State Police has registered 3051 cases against drug peddlers from January 1 this year to November 30 and sent 4652 accused behind bars. Along with this, taking strict action against habitual offenders, preventive detention action was taken against 63 drug peddlers under the PIT NDPS Act in the year 2024 to ensure that these criminals do not get involved in drug trafficking again.
In a statement, Kapur said that the State Police has prepared an effective strategy to break the drug supply chain. In the year 2023, Police had registered 326 commercial quantity cases, while in the year 2024, 411 cases have been registered in which action has been taken against 841 big drug peddlers. He further said that to expedite big cases related to drug smuggling, the time limit for getting reports from the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) has been reduced to 15 days, which will not only expedite the trial but will also help in increasing the conviction rate.
He informed that 5150 Gram Praharis and Ward Praharis have been appointed in the villages to make the state drug-free. Gram Praharis and Ward Praharis keep an eye on those who sell drugs in the villages. Along with this, people who have become addicted to drugs are helped in quitting drugs. Due to the success of the Namak Lota campaign, there has been a 15 percent decrease in small-quantity NDPS cases this year compared to the previous year. Under this campaign, the community was made aware and small offenders were encouraged to quit drugs.
About community participation and awareness programs, Head, Haryana Narcotics Control Bureau OP Singh said that under the drug-free Haryana campaign, community participation was ensured to make people aware of the ill effects of drugs. In these programmes, people were made aware of the ill effects of drugs through cultural activities, sports, and interactive sessions. State Police ran a Nashamukt Bharat Pakhwada in the state. During the Nashamukt Bharat Pakhwada, anti-drug messages were conveyed to lakhs of people in 15 days. This initiative strengthened the state's efforts at the national level and laid the foundation for widespread public awareness.
Singh said that considering drug addiction more of a health challenge than a crime, State Police focused on the rehabilitation of drug addicts. By conducting surveys in the state, people who had become addicted to drugs were identified and sent to rehabilitation centers for treatment. During this time, by making a strategic plan with the Health Department, people who were addicted to drugs were helped to come out of its pit.