Jharkhand police plan to eradicate illegal opium cultivation, combat narcotics misuse

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Ranchi, Jan 10: In a significant move to address the growing menace of illegal opium cultivation and narcotics misuse, Jharkhand Home Secretary Vandana Dadel and DGP Anurag Gupta, along with senior officials, convened a meeting today. The meeting focused on devising a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues, particularly in the most affected districts of Ranchi and Khunti.

The officials stressed the need for strict enforcement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and reviewed key cases involving large-scale narcotics seizures. Several detailed directives were issued to curb illegal drug cultivation, trade, and misuse.

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Key Directives Issued

1. Inter-Departmental Coordination
   • Departments such as Revenue, Agriculture, Forest, and Police must collaborate to identify illegal opium cultivation sites on government, private, and forest land.
   • Strict legal action must be taken to eradicate these activities.
2. Focus on Ranchi and Khunti Districts
   • As the districts most affected by opium cultivation, comprehensive measures must be implemented to ensure its complete elimination.
3. Mandatory FIR Registration
   • FIRs must be registered after the destruction of illegal opium fields to ensure proper legal proceedings.
4. Action on Intelligence Inputs
   • Intelligence from the Special Branch and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) must be verified and acted upon promptly.
   • Police officials failing to take timely action will face disciplinary measures.
5. Community Involvement
   • Engage local leaders such as Manki, Munda, Mukhiya, public representatives, and Mahila Samitis to gather intelligence and ensure cooperation.
   • Drone cameras will be utilized for intelligence collection in affected areas.
6. Monitoring of Accused
   • Conduct regular checks on individuals accused in NDPS cases to track their current status (e.g., whether they are in jail or out on bail).
   • Repeat offenders must be monitored, and their Dossier (DOSI) files updated.
7. Awareness Campaigns
   • On January 26, 2025, a public awareness campaign will encourage citizens to take a pledge against opium cultivation.
   • Educational programs should target remote areas, using digital and audio-visual tools to inform children about the dangers of drug abuse.
8. Citizen Reporting System
   • Develop an online reporting system and a publicized helpline for citizens to report illegal opium cultivation and smuggling activities.
9. Inspections of Hotels and Dhabas
   • Conduct regular inspections of hotels and roadside eateries along highways to ensure they are not involved in the sale of substances like opium or brown sugar.
   • Gather evidence to identify and act against main culprits.
10. Chowkidar Intelligence
    • During Chowkidar Parades, collect information about areas under their jurisdiction where illegal opium is being cultivated.
11. Accountability in NDPS Cases
    • Police station in-charges or inspectors must personally oversee NDPS investigations.
    • Negligence will result in strict disciplinary action.
12. Property Seizures
    • The Superintendent of Police must gather details of illegally acquired properties by NDPS offenders and organized criminal gangs for necessary action.
13. Vehicle Ownership Investigations
    • Investigate vehicle owners in NDPS cases by utilizing evidence such as FASTag records to identify their involvement.
    • Legal action must be taken against owners if culpability is established.
14. Drug Detection Kits
    • Use Drug Detection Kits to verify the nature of seized substances before registering NDPS cases.
15. Support for Alternative Agriculture
    • Distribute seeds for alternative crops to encourage farmers to switch from opium cultivation to legal and profitable agriculture.
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16. Resources for Eradication Operations
    • Ensure the availability of manpower, tractors, grass cutters, and other equipment necessary for destroying illegal opium cultivation.

The Road Ahead

This initiative marks a decisive step toward eradicating illegal opium cultivation and curbing narcotics misuse in Jharkhand. Through a combination of strict enforcement, inter-departmental coordination, and public involvement, the state government aims to create a drug-free environment while promoting alternative livelihoods for farmers.