Drug dealers dissolving poison in the veins of Uttarakhand youth, business worth billions
10 crore 42 lakh 14944 drugs recovered in 11 months
Apart from the state, the network of drug networks connected up to Uttar Pradesh, Himachal and Punjab
Anti drugs policy could not be made in the year 2019 also
The dark truth of the drugs business in Uttarakhand is not hidden from anyone. The drug trade has grown rapidly amid the resolution of a ‘drugs-free state’. This can be gauged from the seizure of drugs worth Rs 10 crore 42 lakh 14944 in 11 months of the year 2019.
Despite many years of action, drug traffickers are smuggling drugs from Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Moradabad, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and other parts of Uttar Pradesh, not only in Uttarakhand, but are poisoning the youths’ veins. After Punjab, Uttarakhand is in the headlines for drugs.
The roots of the people associated with the drug network have become so deep that their business has now reached billions. The most victimized class is being educated. Among them, the number of youth is highest. The appalling situation is that there are many families who have associated this business with livelihood.
Dehradun at number one
People associated with the drug black market have focused more on Dehradun as being the hub of education. The prevalence of smokers, hashish and heroin has made the youth prey to the prevalence of students from outside states. The number of people connected to the network is not in the hundreds but in the thousands.
Most of them are now smugglers who have consumed drugs themselves. In 11 months of the year 2019, five and a half crore drugs were recovered in Dehradun alone. This merchandise is the one that is handed over to police.
How much business will be done, it can be easily guessed. Haridwar is second on drugs. Smack, charas, opium etc. have been recovered in about two crores. Udham Singh Nagar is third in the state in terms of seizures.
Operation with the police of neighboring states does not work
Smugglers take advantage of the lack of coordination with the police of neighboring states. After his arrest, the police do not get tired of claiming that the consumption of smacks, opium, intoxicating pills and injections comes from Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur in UP. After the arrest, the police discharge their responsibility. During this period, about 1600 people have been arrested for drugs. But surprisingly, the need to send a report to the police station related to the accused is not felt. Large crocodiles of the drug market from Fatehganj area of Bareilly are operating the entire network. But joint operation was not initiated at any stage.
Children and women made weapons
Children and women are also being used as weapons in drug trafficking. There are many places in the city where drugs are sold with the help of children and women. In the year 2019, the police managed to send a dozen women to jail. Even after counseling the children several times, the situation has not improved.
Business in terms of data
District Value (Drug) Accused
Dehradun 5.49 crore 513
Haridwar 1.97 crore 140
Udham Singh Nagar 57.18 Lakh 262
Nainital 52.86 Lakh 185
Uttarkashi 16.26 Lakh 84
Tehri 11.91 Lakh 30
Chamoli 4.53 Lakh 12
Pauri 9.98 Lakh 28
Almora 41.06 Lakh 54
Bageshwar 19.49 Lakh 15
Pithoragarh 35.88 Lakh 24
Champawat 41.24 Lakh 62
Nainital 52.86 Lakh 185
GRP 3.92 Lakh 10
Anti drugs policy could not be made in 2019 also
Despite being included in the priority of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, an anti-drugs policy could not be formed in the year 2019. This situation is when the Special Task Force has sent the proposal to the government several months ago after brainstorming on the policy of several states. Apart from the police, the responsibility of Health Department, Social Welfare and Education Department has been fixed. Apart from government de-addiction centers, accountability of schools and colleges has also been fixed.
Uttarakhand is in the limelight after Punjab for its intoxication. After taking charge of the state, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat had talked about making an anti-drugs policy in the state like Punjab. About two years ago, he had asked the Chief Secretary to formulate a policy after a conference of Chief Ministers in Punjab to chalk out a collective strategy against drugs. In the same sequence, the Special Task Force DIG, Riddhim Agarwal was entrusted with the task of drafting the anti-drugs policy.
The STF churned out the nodal officers of the Health Department, Social Welfare and Education Department after churning out the anti-drugs policy of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The STF drafted the anti-drugs policy several months ago and sent the entire proposal to the government. It was expected that the anti-drugs policy would be stamped this year. 2019 is about to pass, but no decision has been made on the policy.
Existing arrangements are being strengthened to stop the drugs trade. North Indian states are sharing information among themselves. For this, the nodal office in Chandigarh has been linked to the state. Instructions are issued to the State Police from the government level for strict action against drugs, which are also reviewed from time to time. This will be completely prevented by formulating a concrete policy.
– Nitesh Jha, Secretary Home
In the new year, action will be taken by targeting drug dealers. The action plan of the police in the year 2019 has been very effective. As a result, there has been widespread drug seizures. Awareness campaign against drug addiction will continue.
Ashok Kumar, Director General of Police, Law and Order, Uttarakhand