Chandigarh, June 19 (IANS) The Haryana government has established 13 new exclusive fast-track Special NDPS Courts, increasing their number to 21.

According to a government notification, one Special NDPS Court at the level of Additional Sessions Judge has been set up each in Faridabad, Gurugram, Panchkula, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar.

In Fatehabad, two new Special NDPS courts have been sanctioned, bringing the total there to three.

In Sirsa, six new Special NDPS Courts have been established, increasing the total number to seven.

Initially, two NDPS courts were set up in Sirsa and Fatehabad. Later, six more were established in Ambala, Hisar, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Panipat.

As of now, eight NDPS Special Courts are operational, one each in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala, Hisar, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Panipat.

The phased rollout of these new courts is expected to further accelerate the disposal of NDPS cases and help reduce pending litigation.

Director General of Police, Ajay Singhal said, “Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini holds firm that no leniency whatsoever will be shown towards drug traffickers who destroy the future of the state’s youth.”

The state government, he said, is committed to dismantling the drug network from its very roots. This will be done by strengthening law enforcement agencies, the prosecution machinery, and the judicial system.

The DGP said the police are pursuing a “zero-tolerance” policy towards drug traffickers. “The police are pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to dismantle the entire narcotics ecosystem. This strategy gives equal weight to police action, Intelligence gathering, financial investigation, asset attachment, public awareness campaigns, and expedited judicial processes. This will be done through effective policing, robust investigation, swift prosecution, and speedy justice,” he said.

To gather information on drug trafficking and ensure prompt action, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) operates a round-the-clock Anti-Drug Helpline at 90508-91508.

Residents can use this helpline to share confidential information about drug trafficking, the sale of narcotic substances, or any drug-related activity with the concerned agencies.

These agencies will act on such tips immediately. The MANAS portal and helpline number 1933, run by the government of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), have also been rolled out across the state.

–IANS

vg/rad