STRINGENT STEPS TAKEN FOR STOPPING DRUG MISUSE, EITHER STOP DRUG SMUGGLING, OR LEAVE HARYANA, WARNS ANIL VIJ, CM AND I MAY HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON CERTAIN ISSUES BUT OUR RESOLVE FOR STATE'S DEVELOPMENT IS SAME, ANIL VIJ 

 Chandigarh (Face2News):

Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing a press conference here today said that stringent steps are being taken by the State Government to curb drug misuse while understanding the fact that at present time, drug abuse has become a matter of serious concern for society.

The Chief Minister said that a detailed State Action Plan has been prepared by the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau after a thorough study on all the aspects related to drugs last year. Village, ward, cluster, sub-division, district and state mission teams have been formed to involve citizens of all age groups in the ‘Yagya of drug-free Haryana’.

He said that these 10 member teams would be constituted by the end of March and would include 5 local representatives and 5 officers.He said that soon a massive campaign against drugs would be launched across the State and forward, backward linkage mechanism has been established to reach the roots of this menace.The Chief Minister also sought suggestions for the name of this campaign to be run against the drug menace.

The Chief Minister further informed that while taking a big initiative in this direction, an Inter-State Drug Secretariat has been established in Panchkula. The Secretariat collects relevant information on drug offenders from the participating states to create a database to help the northern states in cracking down on narcotics. Besides this, Special Task Force (STF) has been constituted at the State level, he added.

He said that to help those involved in drug abuse, drug de-addiction centres would be set up and special counselling sessions for such people would be ensured to help them to leave this bad habit and further bring them into the mainstream.

“Taking a strict cognizance of the drug abuse, dedicated efforts are being made to curb the increasing trend of drug abuse. Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau has been constituted to keep a close vigil on the smuggling and sale of drugs”, said Sh. Manohar Lal. HSNCB and Police registered 2,746 cases and arrested 3,975 accused

He further shared that in the last year, Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) and Haryana Police have registered 2,746 cases and arrested 3,975 accused. During this, 29.13 kg heroin, 157.25 kg charas, 11,368 kg ganja, 356.19 kg opium, 8550 kg Chura Post and 13, 64,121 intoxicating pills, syrup, etc. have been seized.

“Anti Narcotics Cells have been established at District, Range and State level. These cells coordinate with drug control agencies in India and abroad such as Narcotics Control Bureau, neighbouring States, Inter-State Drug Secretariat, and the Opium Producing States etc. to identify the supply chain of narcotics,” informed Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that these cells are working towards creating a database of drug traffickers, their key financers and criminals arrested in drug cases. The cells also maintain the records of major drug manufacturers whose drugs can be used for substance abuse.

The Chief Minister further informed that while taking a big initiative in this direction, an Inter-State Drug Secretariat has been established in Panchkula. The Secretariat collects relevant information on drug offenders from the participating states to create a database to help the northern states in cracking down on narcotics. Besides this, Special Task Force (STF) has been constituted at the State level, he added.

Sh. Manohar Lal further informed that Raahgiri and Marathon are organized to educate the citizens about the ill effects of drugs and to divert the energy of the youth from drugs and other negative activities to positive and creative activities.

3E strategy formulated to curb the drug menace

“Haryana Police has not only taken stringent steps to tighten the noose around those involved in illegal smuggling and sale of narcotics but has also made various efforts to reach out to other people connected with this network. A 3E strategy of Enforcement, Education and Engagement of Civil Society has been formulated to curb the drug menace,” added the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said that a special programme is being started to save educational institutions from this social evil. Data bank of drug smugglers, people involved in smuggling is being prepared by Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau through 'Hawk' software and mobile app 'Prayas', so that any information about any related smuggler can be received immediately and necessary action should be ensured against them without any delay, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.

Either stop drug smuggling, or leave Haryana, warns Anil Vij

The Home Minister, Sh. Anil Vij who also remained present during the press conference, warned the drug peddlers that either they should stop drug smuggling or they have to leave Haryana.

“A round-the-clock Toll-free no.-90508-91508 has been issued by the Bureau to assist drug victims and to share relevant information about the criminals involved in the illegal drug trade. On this number, any person can give information related to drugs and can fulfill his social responsibility by making pivotal contribution in the eradication of this social evil from society. The name of the informer is kept confidential,” added Home Minister Sh. Anil Vij.

He said that several awareness campaigns are being organized in educational institutions and villages and cities to make them aware of the ill effects of drugs and further ensuring the compete eradication of drugs from the society.

"Haryana would be made Drug free and for this entire police department other than Narcotics Department has been directed to tighten the noose around those involved in gambling, liquor smuggling, illegal weapons, besides Drugs.

The Home Minister shared that a weekly report is being submitted by the Supritendents of Police.

18,937 raids conducted and 4879 cases registered

"Till date as many as 18,937 raids have been conducted and 4879 cases have been registered, 5379 accused have been arrested. Besides this, an amount of Rs. 65,35,643 has been recovered. As many as 172 illegal pistols, 202 cartridges and 76,154 liquor bottles have been recovered during these raids," shared Sh. Anil Vij.

He said that a plan has been formulated for case disposal in which accountability has been fixed of the officer concerned at each level. From an Inspector rank Officer to Superintendent of Police would be held accountable for delay in any case, added Home Minister.

"A dedicated portal has been developed and in the next 15 days it would be run on trial basis. In this portal complete detail of the every case registered would be made available on my dashboard. The sole objective is to fix the accountability of each officer," added Sh. Anil Vij.

The Home Minister said that the process of attaching the property of those involved in smuggling of drugs has already been started in Karnal, Kurkshetra and Sisra.

We may have different opinions but our resolve is the same

"Chief Minister and I may have different opinions on certain issues but our resolve for state's development is same, said Sh. Anil Vij while responding to media questions.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sh. Rajeev Arora, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Director General of Police, Sh. P. K. Agarwal, ADGP, CID, Sh. Alok Mittal and other officers remained present on this occasion.