Page 29 - Tehelka Issue 14E

CoverStory DRUG MENACE

The report said that “in Himachal Pradesh, the grow- (STF) has been constituted to effectively campaign
ing narcotics menace has taken over a large number against the drug peddlers and three State Narcotics
of youths in Kullu, Manali, Mandi and Shimla. The Crime Control units have been set up at Shimla, Kan-
narcotics trade is assuming a horrific shape in Kul- gra and Kullu.
lu where large numbers of tourists, mostly Israelis, Many feel that neighbouring state (Punjab) is bad-
pour in every year. This has inspired local farmers ly affected by drugs and in Himachal too its menace
to clandestinely cultivate illegal poppy or cannabis is a serious challenge. “Our government has adopted
crops to earn quick bucks”. zero tolerance towards narcotics. Whether it’s Ma-
According to Tehelka investigation, Manali, Kasol, lana or any other area that is known for growing opi-
Malana in Kullu districts are still the epicentre of nar- um or cannabis, the Jai Ram government is currently
cotics trade. Rave parties are held in and around Ma- destroying their cultivation,” said state cabinet min-
lana by foreign nationals and local residents. Even ister Govind Singh Thakur, who represents Manali
there have been allegations that few of the foreign constituency in the state assembly. During the police
nationals are illegally (without valid permission from campaign from January 19 to February 1, 27.515 kgs of
the government of India) staying in Malana area and charas, 215 gms of opium, 38,279 kgs of poppy husk,
they are involved in the drug trade with the help of SHANTA KUMAR, MP and senior BJP leader 55.868 kgs of ganja, 37.175 gms of heroin and 19.83 JAI RAM THAKUR, Himachal Chief Minister.
locals. In the past seven years, over 82 foreign na- gms of cociane was siezed by police and 66 Indians
tionals, mainly Britons, Israelis, Dutch, Germans, and seven Nepalese were arrested by the police.
Japanese and Italians, have been arrested under the The Member Parliament (MP) This is a shocking fact that drug menace in “About 27 per cent youth
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Himachal had never been a major and serious issues
Act in the state. and senior BJP leader, Shanta in the assembly elections. Politicians also do not pre- in Himachal are involved in
Quoting a study by the Indira Gandhi Medical fer to take the issue seriously in and outside the as-
College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, a judgment by a Kumar, recently sent an alert sembly. Senior Congress leader and an engineering drug abuse and for making
Himachal Pradesh High Court Bench headed by Jus- to the Himachal graduate Rajesh Dharmani agrees that there is im- the state drug free it is
tice Rajiv Sharma had observed 40 per cent youth in mence need to include this issue by the politicians in
the state are involved in drug abuse. Himachal High chief minister regarding their speeches. “This is unfortunate that issue of this important to take collective
Court had recently pulled up the state functionaries kind is not taken seriously. Time has come that we
on the issue and said that the destruction campaign increasing cases of drug should save our children from drugs menace and we steps. Drug abuse is a
was mere on papers after the state DGP had submit- can play a major role in it,” he added.
ted in the court that around 400 villages in the state menace in the state. He Inaccessible valleys and lofty mountains in the social vice which needs to
are affected with illegal cultivation of cannabis. western Himalayas are areas for cultivation of can- be curbed with people’s
The DGP had told the court that under the cam- said, “If the government nabis and opium. They are the country’s biggest drug-
paign huge number of cannabis plants are destroyed producing areas with a considerable quantity finding participation. I favour
by the police with the help of locals. The state gov- does not take effective its way to Europe. The lure of drugs and quick bucks
ernment records show that there are 51,500 acres in measures at this time, state’s also attracts foreigners to the largely unexplored ar- tough penalties against
Kullu Valley alone where cannabis is cultivated. Can- eas of Himachal Pradesh where they have become
nabis crops on 20,236 bighas of government land young generation will land part of unorganised drug cultivation. It is alleged those involved in the drug
and 7,782 bighas of private land and 83,910 poppy that few of them even never returned to their homes. trade. Our government is
plants were destroyed last year. in serious trouble. Increasing Over 2,480 villages are dotted across inaccessible
Recently, minor son of a former MLA was taken areas in Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur committed to make the state
into custody along with his three friends in a drug number of unemployment in districts, known for growing cannabis and poppy
case. The vehicle in which they were travelling was cultivation. drug free and for this, a
owned by the former legislator. On specific input, ve- the state is one of the major Police records show that there are about 51,500
hicle was intercepted in Mandi town and 500 gram acres in Kullu Valley alone where cannabis is cul- special campaign has been
of charas was seized from it. All four were taken into reasons that is contributing tivated. Areas in the state bordering Punjab and launched. About 254 kg
custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Haryana have become drug hubs. The drug men-
Substances (NDPS) Act. However, they were handed to the drug menace. There is ace has assumed alarming proportions in pilgrim charas was seized from drug
over to their parents later. a growing frustration centres and tourist destinations too. A former state
Interestingly, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur too ADGP, KC Sadyal, while talking to Tehelka revealed peddlers this year. The police
admitted recently that about 27 per cent youth in among our youth and that over 58 per cent of the poppy and cannabis
Himachal Pradesh are involved in drug abuse and produce in Himachal Pradesh is smuggled out to have sensitised over 6,10,000
for making the state drug free it is important to take they are going towards countries like Israel, Italy, Holland and some other people on the ill effects of
collective steps. He said, “Drug abuse is a social vice European countries. “The remaining finds its way
which needs to be curbed with people’s participa- narcotics.” to Nepal or Indian states like Goa, Punjab and Delhi, drugs.”
tion”. He told the Tehelka that a Special Task Force he added. Malana is well known for cultivating the

TEHELKA / 31 JULY 2018 28 WWW.TEHELKA.COM TEHELKA / 31 JULY 2018 29 WWW.TEHELKA.COM

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