“Punjab Witnesses Surge in Drug Consumers Opting for Rehabilitation under Section 64-A of NDPS Act”

“Punjab Witnesses Surge in Drug Consumers Opting for Rehabilitation under Section 64-A of NDPS Act”

In a concerted effort to combat the pervasive drug menace, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is witnessing a significant increase in drug consumers voluntarily opting for rehabilitation under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, highlighted the success of this initiative, revealing that within a mere 20 days, 282 drug consumers have pledged to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

The state government, aligning with its three-pronged strategy of Enforcement, Prevention, and Rehabilitation, is actively promoting awareness about Section 64-A of the NDPS Act. This provision offers an opportunity for drug consumers, caught with small quantities of substances, to seek rehabilitation. The concerted efforts are part of a comprehensive approach to eradicate drugs from the state.

While the focus remains on encouraging rehabilitation, Punjab Police continues its crackdown on major drug smugglers. In the past week alone, 141 drug smugglers were arrested, including 31 significant players. The operations resulted in the recovery of 19.4 kg of heroin, 8.3 kg of opium, 25.23 quintals of poppy husk, and 4201 tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids. Additionally, Rs 1.40 lakh in drug money was seized.

The drive to apprehend Proclaimed Offenders (POs) and absconders in NDPS cases has witnessed a noteworthy surge, with six more arrests in the last week. The total count of such arrests has reached 1260 since the initiation of the special drive on July 5, 2022.

Highlighting the disposal of seized drugs under the NDPS Act from January 1, 2024, to January 15, 2024, IGP Sukhchain Gill detailed that Punjab Police, through various field and special units, has effectively destroyed over 523 kg of heroin, 79.92 quintals of poppy husk, 298 kg of ganja, and 17.57 lakh narcotic pills/capsules. This process adheres to proper disposal procedures, involving incineration under the supervision of High-Level Drug Disposal Committees.

Moreover, the Punjab Police has taken stringent measures, including the forfeiture of 263 properties valued at Rs 111 crores belonging to major smugglers. Additional proposals to forfeit properties worth Rs 3.60 crores are currently awaiting approval.

Highlighting the commitment to enhancing law and order, IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill shared that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), established on April 6, 2022, has made substantial progress. The AGTF has dismantled 312 gangster/criminal modules, resulting in the arrest of 951 individuals and the neutralization of 10. A total of 963 weapons and 208 vehicles used in criminal activities have been seized.

Key words used: Punjab drug rehabilitation, NDPS Act Section 64-A, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, drug menace eradication, Punjab Police crackdown, Proclaimed Offenders NDPS arrests, seized drugs disposal, Anti-Gangster Task Force achievements, law and order improvement initiatives.