JK News Today
New Delhi, March 23, 2023 :Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the Regional Conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka tomorrow. Representatives from 5 Southern States and 3 UTs will be attending the Conference. The Union Home Minister will also oversee destruction of 9,298 Kilogram of seized drugs valued at 1,235 crore rupees, during the meeting.
During the meeting, due emphasis will be laid on aspects like, ways to curtail drug trafficking through maritime route, stringent Punitive action on drug traffickers resulting into zero tolerance, seamless coordination/cooperation between State and Central Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and Containment of spread of drug abuse through concerted awareness program.
The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against drugs to make a Drug-free India. Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a target to destroy 75,000 kg narcotics was set during a 75-day campaign beginning 01st June, 2022, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a total of 5,94,620 kilograms of seized drugs, valued at 8,409 crore rupees, has been destroyed so far, overachieving the target manifold. Out of the total drugs destroyed, 1,29,363 kilograms of seized drugs valued at 3,138 crore rupees has been destroyed by NCB alone.
On the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has adopted a three-pronged formula of strengthening the institutional structure, empowerment and coordination of all narcotics agencies and a comprehensive awareness campaign to crack down on narcotics. The issue of drug smuggling is not an issue of Centre or state but a national issue and efforts to deal with it should also be national and unified. To deal with the menace of drugs effectively, all the states should convene meetings of district-level and state-level NCORD regularly.
Using the latest technology in the fight against drugs should be the way forward and use of drones, artificial intelligence and satellite mapping for identification and control of areas cultivating opium should be looked into, diligently. The cases of drugs should be investigated thoroughly from its source to destination to crackdown on its entire network.
