Srinagar, April 23 (IANS) Acting during the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, police in J&K’s Pulwama district on Thursday cracked down on the drug menace.

Police said, giving renewed momentum to the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, that Pulwama Police continues to undertake sustained, multi-pronged action against drug abuse and illegal narcotics activities across the district as part of the 100-day campaign.

As part of intensified enforcement measures, Pulwama Police conducted inspections of medical shops across multiple areas, including Muran, Shadimarg, Abhama, and Main Chowk Kakapora, to ensure strict compliance with the norms governing the sale of scheduled drugs and controlled substances.

During the drives, sale records, prescriptions and stock registers were thoroughly scrutinised, while CCTV installations at the establishments were also checked to ensure transparency and accountability, preventing misuse of pharmaceutical drugs.

In parallel operations against illegal cultivation, Pulwama Police detected and destroyed illicit poppy straw cultivation at Singhu Narbal. In another similar action, poppy plants found cultivated alongside vegetable crops over nearly one kanal of land at Dougam were also destroyed on the spot.

These actions reflect a zero-tolerance approach towards narcotics-related activities and unlawful cultivation. To further curb peddling and drug abuse, Pulwama Police has intensified checking and frisking at vulnerable locations across the district, particularly around schools, colleges, bus stands and busy marketplaces.

Suspicious persons are being routinely checked, and the deployment of K9 dog squads has significantly enhanced detection and operational effectiveness during such drives.

Alongside enforcement, the Pulwama Police is actively focusing on awareness and prevention. In this regard, a drug awareness programme was organised at Government High School Tujan, where students and staff were sensitised about the harmful effects of drug abuse, its impact on health and society, and the legal consequences under relevant laws.

The programme also included an interactive session encouraging students to adopt a drug-free lifestyle.

Pulwama Police said it remains committed to tackling the drug menace through a balanced approach of strict enforcement and community outreach. The ongoing efforts under the campaign highlight the district police’s resolve to eliminate drug-related threats and safeguard the youth’s future.

The general public has been urged to cooperate with the Pulwama Police and share any information related to drug peddling or illegal activities to strengthen the collective fight against drugs.

–IANS

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