Jammu and Kashmir stands at number five in the list of states where poppy and cannabis cultivation is highest in the country.
The most recent annual report of the Narcotics ControlBureau (NCB) said poppy cultivated on more than 358 acres of land in J&Khad been destroyed. This is the fifth highest area-wise poppy crop destructionamong the states in the country.
The other states where poppy cultivation was destroyed overa larger area are Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
Also, J&K stood at number three among all states interms of heroin seizure. In 2017 alone, 2017.46 kg of the lethal narcotic wereseized from various parts of the state. The seizure is much higher than that ofHimachal Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh.
“Major trafficking of heroin in the country takes placethrough Indo-Pakistan border mainly in the states of Punjab and Jammu &Kashmir. From these states heroin is smuggled into other states,” states thereport.
Not just poppy and heroin, the report categorically statesthat “charas/hashish is derived from illicit cannabis cultivation by drugtraffickers especially in the districts of south Kashmir and Kullu in HimachalPradesh”.
In the year of study, 33134 kgs of hashish were seized inJ&K, fourth highest among all states.
The state also ranks high in seizure of tablets of abuse.
The report establishes the high saturation of illicit drugsin the state, which makes it easier for the people to lay hands on these.
Excise Commissioner M Raju asserted that his department hasbeen relentlessly destroying illicit poppy and cannabis crop wherever it isdetected.
“We are also educating people about various other crops theycan cultivate legally and reap good returns,” he said.
However, many stakeholders believe that not much is beingdown to curb the growing menace in Kashmir.
“Kashmir has become the new destination on the GoldenCrescent of heroin (a poppy derivative) and cannabis,” said Dr Yasir H Rather,Associate Professor and in-charge of Drug De-Addiction Center of GovernmentMedical College Srinagar. Golden Crescent is the name given to the regionspanning over mountains of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where illicit poppytrade and cultivation is very high.
He said that prevalent situation in Kashmir had worsened thescenario with low law enforcement and vigilance.
Ahfadul Mujtaba, IGP Crime Branch and Nodal Officer J&Kfor NCB, said that availability of illicit drugs including heroin and cannabisincreases on the trafficking route.
“Unfortunately, drugs are penetrating into the state throughTangdhar area, Rajouri and along other parts of LoC,” he said.
He said that police, excise department and NCB were incollaboration to locate and curb illicit trade of drugs.