Preventive detention of 200 smugglers suggested in Punjab: Narcotics flowing from Gujarat, J&K 

Punjab government on International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday, mooted preventive detention of repeat offenders in drug smuggling cases after the state police identified 200 such smugglers in the state .

Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh suggested that Fast Track Courts could be used for speedy trials against NDPS offenders. The Chief Minister said that he would take up the matter of operationalising such Fast Track Courts at the earliest with the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Capt. Amarinder Singh also held a Video Conference with DCs and SSPs to review the progress on drug eradication and discuss the future strategy. The Video Conference was preceded by a meeting of the Consultative Group on Drugs: Comprehensive Action Plan against Drugs Abuse, headed by the Chief Minister.

The CM extended his government’s full support to the eight Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) teams assigned to map the border areas of Punjab and coordinate the fight against drugs in the region.

The NCB Deputy Director General SK Jha informed the meeting that 25 officers had been deputed to Punjab to strengthen coordination with other states, such as Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat, which had emerged as major sources of drugs flow into this state.

Jha underlined the need to chase money trails to check drugs trafficking. Dinkar Gupta, DGP, Punjab, informed that the Chief Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister seeking a national drugs policy had evoked positive response from the Centre, with Home Minister Amit Shah directing his officers to ensure better coordination in the matter.

Punjab would host the next meeting of the Chief Ministers of the neighbouring states for more effective coordination of the drug enforcement efforts across states.

The CM reiterated his government’s Zero Tolerance policy against colluding government officials, including policemen. Taking cognizance of complaints of collusion of police officers with drug smugglers, traders and peddlers, he directed the DGP to bring out a comprehensive posting and transfers policy to break the nexus between police and drugs criminals.

Amarinder Singh warned of stringent action against black sheep. Those involved would be liable for dismissal and compulsorily retirement. Criminal cases under the provisions of the NDPS Act (Abetment) and Prevention of Corruption Act to be registered, wherever involvement and wrongdoing is established, he added.

Toughening his stance on the drugs issue, Amarinder said the drug eradication campaign will now be carried out in Mission Mode, with transfers and postings of DCs and SSPs to depend on performance in ‘Drive Against Drugs’, to be assessed through quarterly reviews. The Sub-divisional DSPs and SHOs will be held accountable for any drug related crimes in their respective areas, with monthly reviews to be conducted by IGPs/DIGs Ranges. Non-performing DSPs/SHOs will be shunted out, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister ordered the CPs and SSPs to identify drug-affected villages or wards for strict enforcement, and to list out know drug peddlers. He directed them to undertake thorough investigations to unearth forward and backward linkages, crucial for reaching the source of drugs/big fish. The CM also directed them to conduct regular meetings of District Mission Teams (DMTs) and Sub Divisional Mission Teams (SDMTs) to strengthen training of DAPOs and Senior Buddies and also the awareness campaign on drugs. He directed the DCs and Civil Surgeons to directly supervise de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes, and to associate with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other NGOs for more effective execution. Amarinder Singh underlined the need for intensification of coordination and joint operations with NCB, BSF and other central agencies, to tighten the noose against drug smugglers.

The CM disclosed that a Rewards Scheme was being finalised by government to incentivize the people to join the fight against drugs. Good performance by government officers as well as the citizens will be suitably rewarded under the scheme, he added.