Budgam Registers 38 FIRs, 77 Kanals of Cannabis Destroyed

SRINAGAR: Authorities in Budgam have stepped up their war on drugs this month, registering 38 FIRs and filing 35 challans against individuals involved in illicit narcotics cultivation, even as nearly 77 kanals of wild cannabis were destroyed across the district.

The details emerged during the 39th District-Level Narco Coordination Committee (NCORD) meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat at his office on Monday. The meeting reviewed past actions and discussed strategies to make Budgam drug-free.

Dr Bilal called for a multi-pronged strategy combining deterrence, enforcement, treatment, and awareness. He directed agriculture, excise, rural development, and municipal authorities to intensify field-level checks to ensure all roads, embankments, and panchayat areas are cleared of cannabis and poppy cultivation.

Underscoring the need for accountability in drug sales, the DC ordered 100 per cent CCTV coverage and Computerised Billing Systems in all chemist outlets across the district. Budgam has 630 retail and 225 wholesale medical stores, which remain under strict surveillance. The Assistant Drug Controller was directed to conduct frequent inspections and take stern action against violators.

Officials also reported that 117 calls were received on the Tele-MANAS mental health helpline, reflecting its growing role in offering support to individuals battling addiction. The DC urged wider publicity of the service to encourage confidential access to help.

He further directed the Excise Department to work with police and revenue authorities for destruction of narcotic crops and swift lodging of FIRs. Sub-divisional heads were asked to involve religious scholars and community leaders in awareness campaigns and to promote the concept of ‘Nasha-Mukt Panchayats’.

The DC stressed that the fight against drugs cannot be won by administration alone but requires the collective participation of civil society, community elders, parents, teachers, and clerics. He reiterated the district’s zero-tolerance approach towards peddlers and traffickers, while assuring handholding for victims of addiction.

The meeting was attended by ADC Budgam, SDMs, Assistant Drug Controller, DYSP Headquarters, principals of degree colleges, municipal officers, and other stakeholders.