The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on Tuesday chaired a meeting of District Level Committee under Narco-Coordination Centre Mechanism. The meeting discussed in detail the issue of drug menace in the district and the long term and short term preventive measures being taken by the administration besides discussing various issues of poppy cultivation and destruction thereof.
Dr Owais directed the concerned law enforcing agencies to identify chronic areas under poppy cultivation and destroy it on priority and directed to increase the targets for destruction and enhance the pace of destruction of narcotic crops.
The meeting was informed that Excise and other concerned departments have destroyed narcotic crops of poppy on around 30 kanals of land in the district. Dr. Owais also stressed on conducting mass awareness regarding drug abuse involving students and youth.
He said open discussion on such issues is essential to curb the menace.He said apart from primary duties, fighting against drug abuse is our moral duty also as it concerns all the sections of society.
He urged the general public to cooperate in avoiding cultivation of these crops and in destruction of narcotic crops and thereby eradicating drug menace.Dr Owais also directed the concerned to conduct market checking regularly including the drug stores to keep check on illegal practices.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Waseem Raja, Secretary DLSA Fariqa Nazir, DFO Bandipora, Tehsildar Bandipora, Tehsildar Sumbal, DySP HQ, NT Hajin and Representative of Excise department.