Srinagar, May 5: The 17th Union Territory-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who reviewed Jammu and Kashmir’s performance in enforcement of drug laws, prosecution, and rehabilitation efforts to combat substance abuse.
The meeting was attended by senior civil and police officers, while Deputy Commissioners and SSPs from all districts joined via video conferencing. The Chief Secretary stressed strengthening the legal framework and addressing procedural gaps in NDPS cases. He asked the Law Department to explore recording statements of in-service witnesses through video conferencing to prevent delays, and called for analysis of acquittals to fix accountability.
Emphasizing stronger enforcement, Dulloo directed agencies to investigate both backward and forward linkages in drug trafficking cases and actively challenge bail orders. He also called for a focused strategy to dismantle drug networks and ensure strict action against offenders.
Highlighting non-kinetic measures, he suggested cancellation of driving licences, passports, and vehicle registrations of offenders, along with scrutiny of financial transactions to curb illegal proceeds. He also stressed strengthening rehabilitation by training counsellors across schools, colleges, health centres, and at the block level through Self-Help Groups.
The Chief Secretary directed IMHANS to create a pool of master trainers with trained resource persons in each district. He also asked Deputy Commissioners to ensure functional de-addiction centres in all district hospitals and directed the Health Department to maintain adequate supply of essential medicines.
Data shared during the meeting revealed that 542 NDPS cases have been registered in 2026 so far, with 716 arrests and seizure of 640 kg of narcotics worth about ₹18.49 crore. A rise in commercial quantity cases was also noted. Currently, 10,956 cases are pending across courts, including over 6,000 in special NDPS courts.
Officials informed that enforcement actions have led to property attachments worth ₹53.77 lakh and freezing of bank accounts amounting to ₹22.63 lakh. Additionally, hundreds of driving licences and vehicle registrations have been recommended for cancellation due to involvement in drug-related activities.
The meeting concluded with a focus on strengthening enforcement, improving rehabilitation measures, and ensuring speedy disposal of cases to create an effective deterrent against drug trafficking in the Union Territory.
