Srinagar: Syed Ali Geelani, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference G, has declared that he would cooperate with any effort aimed at eradication of drug and substance abuse in Kashmir, a local coalition of drug sellers claimed Monday, soon after an hour-long session with the 85-year-old separatist.
Alarmed by the reports of widespread presence of spurious drugs in the Kashmir Valley, All Kashmir Chemists and Distribution Federation ?AKCDF, Monday held an hour-long meeting with senior separatist leader and Hurriyat G Chairman Syed Ali Geelani to find ways and means to curb the drug abuse in Kashmir.
The group’s publicity secretary Ajaz Ahmed Kachroo said that a delegation of AKCDF met with Syed Ali Geelani at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar where matters relating to the drug abuse and its control in Valley was discussed at length.
During the meeting it was felt that most of the spurious drugs that are found in Kashmir are coming from Jammu and Himachal Pradesh. AKCDF informed Geelani that most of the reputed pharmacy companies have closed their plants in rest of India and they have set up these plants in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh as the respective governments are providing them industrial incentives. During the meeting it was observed that the spurious drugs in circulation in Valley contain manufacturing labels from Jammu and Himachal.
During the meeting it was felt that the menace of spurious drugs has struck deep roots in the State. Harmful medicines and drugs are sold by unscrupulous chemists and druggists with full knowledge of the authorities. Now it is an admitted fact, of all the three regions of the State, Kashmir division has become biggest sanctuary for deadly business of spurious and substandard drugs.
We informed Geelani Sahab that due to 80 percent consumption of drugs in Kashmir, pharma companies are looking at Kashmir as a huge market. We insisted Geelani sahib to take measures so that spurious drugs could not find entry into Valley. We felt that Geelani Sahab can play an important role in this regard and can impress upon the government to cancel the license of those drug companies which manufacture spurious drugs and distribute it in Kashmir Valley, Kachroo told a newsgathering agency.
During the meeting AKCDF informed Syed Ali Geelani that Consignment and Forwarding Agentship depots which were temporarily shifted from Kashmir to Jammu in 1990s, have not been brought back to Kashmir. We demanded that pre-90 position be restored in Valley. All the drug depots should be opened in Kashmir again and immediately be transferred from Jammu as the situation in Valley is quite peaceful, he said.
A single spurious drug can cost a life. The government should immediately intervene to stop it. We also urge Geelani Sahab to impress upon the government to invite private reputed companies to conduct a survey here, AKCDF told Geelani.
Geelani assured AKCDF delegation that Hurriyat G will help their cause and will play its role to overcome drug abuse and menace in Kashmir. He (Geelani) talked about the ill-effects of alcohol and other drugs. He assured that with the support of people of Kashmir we will help nip the evil in the bud, Kachroo said.
Those who were the part of the delegation included AKCDF president Abdul Ahad Bhat, AKCDF president for Srinagar Syed Parvez Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Ajaz Ahmed Kachroo, spokesperson Mushtaq Ahmed Pukhta and Chief Organizer Sheikh Rashid and other members from different districts.
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