The recent destruction of over 1.4 lakh kg of drugs in different parts of the country, observed via video-conferencing by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other attendees of the 'Drugs Smuggling and National Security' conference, highlights the determination of the Central and state governments to eradicate the drug menace. The seized drugs, valued at Rs 2,378 crore, were destroyed by the Narcotics Control Bureau and law enforcement agencies from various states. During the conference, Shah advocated for the confiscation of assets belonging to individuals involved in the illegal drug trade and their public humiliation. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called for life imprisonment for drug peddlers and proposed amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to enhance its stringency.
The Home Minister emphasized the Modi government's commitment to creating an India where no youth would be addicted to drugs, while also stressing the need for closer coordination between the central and state authorities. It is essential for the Union Government to recognize that different states face diverse challenges in combating the drug war. For instance, Punjab, a border state, grapples with narco-terrorism originating from Pakistan. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the central government to make drone registration mandatory, as unmanned aerial vehicles are frequently used for cross-border smuggling of heroin and weapons. Implementing state-of-the-art anti-drone technology along the international border with Pakistan is crucial to curbing smuggling activities.
The central government should ensure a continuous flow of funds to states and union territories to support the enhancement of forensic laboratories and drug de-addiction centers. Another important aspect is amending the law to clearly differentiate between drug addicts and peddlers. It is imperative to prioritize targeting major drug traffickers among the peddlers. Concerningly, international drug cartels remain active despite significant seizures in recent years. Breaking the supply chain is a prerequisite for the success of the ambitious anti-drug mission
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