PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Although the Uttarakhand government has set a target to make the state drug-free, the spiralling number of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act presents a worrisome picture. While around 2,000 NDPS cases are presently being heard in Dehradun court, the actual number of such cases is around 3,000 across Dehradun district, informed the NDPS court prosecutor Manoj Sharma.
He further said that the number of NDPS cases has increased significantly over the past five years. “The young people, especially those aged around 20 to 22, are now being involved in drug-related cases in large numbers. Things are all the more worrisome, given the change in the background of the accused. Earlier, people from outside Uttarakhand were often arrested in such cases; but in recent years, more people from Uttarakhand have been arrested,” he stated.
Talking about the conviction rate, Sharma said that around 90 per cent of NDPS cases result in convictions. “Another interesting change has occurred in the type of drugs. Earlier, charas cases were more common, but now cases involving smack, heroin and drug capsules are increasing,” he added.
Sharing more, Sharma said that capsules and other medicines used as drugs are becoming popular among young people. “This is because they are easy to carry and hide,” he said.
He also said that women are also increasingly being found involved in drug supply. “More than 50 cases involving women are currently before the NDPS court”, he said, adding that women are often difficult to arrest, which could account for the increase in such cases.
Sharma said that police efficiency regarding drug cases is often questioned. “They often arrest small peddlers, but do not always follow the supply chain to reach the bigger syndicates.” he said.
He stressed on stronger investigation into the entire supply chain. “This will help identify the real culprits and then action can be taken against the people running the larger drug networks,” he added.
