DC Pulwama chairs NCORD meeting, reviews Anti-Drug Campaign

• Stresses intensified awareness, strict enforcement and coordinated action against drug abuse

PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today chaired a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) at the Administrative Complex, Pulwama, to review the implementation of the ongoing anti-drug campaign under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, the status of NDPS cases and various enforcement and preventive measures being undertaken across the district.

At the outset, the concerned officers presented detailed progress reports on the activities being carried out under the 100-day intensive Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan. The presentations highlighted awareness programmes organised across Panchayats, educational institutions and urban local bodies, besides initiatives aimed at prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community participation.

Reviewing the awareness activities being conducted in Panchayats, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat to further intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities and organise multiple awareness programmes at different locations within Panchayats to ensure maximum outreach and community participation.

The Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Pulwama, briefed the meeting on the awareness programmes being organised in urban areas under the campaign. The Deputy Commissioner directed that awareness initiatives be conducted regularly in markets, public spaces and educational institutions to ensure wider public outreach.

The Chair was also apprised of the awareness programmes being organised in schools across the district. Stressing the importance of preventive education, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Education Department to organise regular awareness sessions, debates, seminars, counselling programmes and sports activities in educational institutions to raise awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse.

Furthermore, the functioning of the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF), Pulwama, and the Drug De-Addiction Centre, Tral, was reviewed in detail. Dr. Qayoom sought details from the concerned officers regarding treatment facilities, patient admissions, counselling services and rehabilitation measures, and directed them to ensure effective counselling, timely treatment, proper follow-up of recovered individuals and their integration with skill development and livelihood opportunities.

Reviewing the measures taken against illicit poppy cultivation and wild cannabis, the Assistant Commissioner Revenue presented the action taken report on destruction drives being conducted across the district. The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to maintain strict surveillance, intensify field inspections and ensure the complete eradication of illicit cultivation and wild cannabis across the district.

Later, the meeting also reviewed the status of NDPS cases registered across the district. The Deputy Director Prosecution presented a detailed overview of cases under investigation, prosecution and trial.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised the need for close coordination among the Police, Prosecution and other concerned agencies to ensure expeditious investigation and effective prosecution, with a view to improving conviction rates and strengthening deterrence.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner called for intensifying the campaign and stressed inter-departmental coordination, community participation and sustained enforcement to effectively combat the menace of drug abuse and narcotics trafficking in the district.

Among others, the meeting was attended by SSP Pulwama, Tanushree; Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Awantipora and Tral; Assistant Commissioner Revenue; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat; Additional SP Awantipora, Deputy Director Prosecution; besides other members of the committee and other district and sectoral officers.