The sentencing of two drug peddlers, Syed Ishfaq Shah and Khursheed Ahmad Gojar, by a Srinagar court to 20 years in prison for their involvement in drug possession should serve as a warning to narcotics traders in the Valley. The verdict, although seemingly harsh, carries a vital message – the menace of drugs, particularly among our youth, is an issue of overriding concern that demands immediate attention.
As it has turned out, Police had recovered 15 packets, each weighing one kilogram, filled with brown sugar from Shah and Gojar in 2019. So, in delivering the verdict, Judge Khemraj Sharma did more than just pass judgment: he also drew attention to the surging drug problem that plagues our society. “The menace of drugs is on the rise these days, and the main sufferers of this menace are the younger generation of our society,” he rightly observed. He pointed out that the consequences of this menace extend beyond individual lives and families, warranting what he said, “an iron hand,” against the people involved in the drug trade. Echoing the sentiment, the Additional Public Prosecutor, Dar Rashid, stressed that securing such convictions was important to prevent the menace from spreading further.
While the conviction of Shah and Gojar is a good beginning, the battle against drug addiction is far from over. It calls on all of us to unite in our efforts to protect the future of our society, our youth, from the clutches of this destructive menace.There should be zero tolerance for those who threaten the well-being of our youth with the scourge of drugs.
As is now well-known, the recent years have witnessed lakhs of our youth taking to drugs. So much so, that the Director General of Police Dilbagh was recently forced to say that drug addiction is now a bigger challenge than even militancy. According to data from India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, around 8 percent of the population, roughly 10 lakh residents, are drug addicts. The drugs being used include heroin, cannabis, opioids, and sedatives. This alarming situation calls for urgent attention and solution.
No doubt, law enforcement agencies have taken significant steps to address the crisis. Over the course of 2022, nearly 1,700 alleged drug peddlers were apprehended in Kashmir, with 1,021 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Despite these efforts, the impact on the ground remains limited, as youth continue to resort to psychotropic substances, barbiturates, and sleeping pills. But we can’t afford to give up. Otherwise, nothing can stop Kashmir from becoming the new Punjab.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
