*1,941 Arrested, Properties Worth ₹154 Crore Attached in Kashmir’s Anti-Drug Crackdown: IGP*
Srinagar, Nov 5, : Kashmir Police have arrested 1,941 persons in more than 1,500 narcotics-related cases this year, seized 1,711 kilograms of contraband and attached properties worth ₹154 crore belonging to alleged drug traffickers, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar Singh said on Thursday, describing the scale of enforcement as part of an intensified campaign against the drug menace.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the IGP said police had also frozen 567 bank accounts and recovered approximately ₹10.11 crore in cash. Around 2,111 kanals of land under illicit cultivation had been cleared as part of the drive.
Beyond the enforcement figures, Kumar made a direct appeal to families battling drug addiction, particularly mothers struggling to save their children from substance abuse. He urged them not to remain silent or hesitate to approach the police, assuring them that their identities would be kept confidential and every possible assistance would be extended.
He said families could approach any police station for help, after which the police would facilitate treatment and rehabilitation through available de-addiction facilities.
The IGP also flagged the growing scale of cyber fraud in Kashmir, revealing that 12,385 complaints involving more than ₹54 crore had been received this year. Police have recovered around ₹7.48 crore, while efforts are underway to trace and recover the remaining amount.
He said 93 FIRs had been registered in cyber fraud cases, including seven involving mule bank accounts. Warning young people against becoming unwitting participants in organised financial fraud, he cautioned them not to lend their bank accounts, mobile numbers or identities to others for suspicious transactions.
Turning to road safety, Kumar expressed concern over reckless driving, dangerous biking, triple riding, modified silencers and high-speed stunts, particularly among youngsters. He said traffic enforcement had been intensified during both daytime and night hours to curb violations and prevent accidents.
He urged young people to abandon practices that endanger their own lives and those of other road users, while respecting pedestrians, elderly people and sick residents who are particularly affected by unnecessary noise and reckless driving.
The IGP also called upon youth to use social media as a tool for positive change, encouraging them to create videos and reels that motivate others to reject drug addiction, discourage stunt biking and promote responsible behaviour.
He said the police would support constructive initiatives by young people, stressing that social media should be used to influence society positively rather than promote dangerous practices.
Kumar emphasized that tackling drug addiction, cybercrime and road safety violations required collective responsibility, with families, elders, youth and civil society playing an equally important role alongside law enforcement agencies.
