Punjab CM Seeks Amit Shah’s Intervention for Special NDPS Courts to Curb Drug Menace
Highlights:
- Bhagwant Mann calls for financial assistance to establish 79 new NDPS courts in Punjab.
- Appeals for national-level response to address drug trafficking and abuse.
- Requests Rs 2,829 crore funding through the 16th Finance Commission for law enforcement and rehabilitation.
- Urges support for de-addiction centers, advanced surveillance systems, and anti-drug awareness campaigns.
Chandigarh, January 11:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and provide financial assistance for setting up special NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts in the state. Addressing the regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security” via video conferencing, Mann emphasized the need for a national response to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
He proposed a one-time financial aid of Rs 600 crore over 10 years to create 79 exclusive NDPS courts and recruit necessary public prosecutors and staff. Currently, 35,000 NDPS cases are pending in Punjab, with an average disposal time of seven years. Without intervention, this could extend to 11 years as pending cases increase to 55,000 in the next five years.
Urgent Need for Resources
Mann highlighted the state’s vulnerability to drug trafficking due to its location along the 552-km border with Pakistan, part of the notorious “Golden Crescent” drug route. He pointed out that gaps in border fencing and increased use of drones for smuggling drugs have escalated the issue.
He sought funding for:
- Live monitoring systems in six border districts.
- Advanced 5G jamming solutions for prisons.
- AI-powered surveillance systems in jails.
- De-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
- Anti-drug awareness campaigns.
The Chief Minister requested at least 50 advanced jamming systems to cover the international border, where only 12 are currently operational, catering to just one-fifth of the stretch.
State’s Anti-Drug Efforts
Mann detailed Punjab’s efforts, including the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force with 861 personnel, district-level Narcotics Cells, and a state-level “Punjab Narcotics Prevention Campaign Committee.” He also mentioned the “Safe Punjab” helpline, which has received 1,905 complaints, resulting in FIRs in 31 cases.
Under the state’s Enforcement-Deaddiction-Prevention (EDP) policy, over 31,500 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in the last two and a half years, leading to the arrest of 43,000 accused and the seizure of 3,000 kg of heroin and other contraband. Property worth Rs 449 crore linked to drug traffickers has been frozen.
Punjab has also launched initiatives like the Buddy Program in schools and colleges to educate youth about the dangers of drug abuse. So far, 29,000 students have enrolled, and 19,523 Village Defense Committees have been set up.
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National-Level Response Needed
Mann stressed that Punjab is bearing the brunt of the drug problem alone, despite its national and international implications. He called for increased central funding and enhanced BSF deployment on the Pakistan border.
The Chief Minister reiterated that tackling the drug menace is essential to preserve national security and socio-economic stability. He urged the central government to take immediate action and support Punjab’s fight against this grave issue.
