No person, no matter how tall or powerful, will be spared if found in illegal activities : Anil Vij

Chandigarh : Haryana Home Minister, Anil Vij said that no person would be spared if found involved in illegal activities by the present State Government and the State Government will continue to take necessary measures to prevent illegal activities in the state.

Apart from this, Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) set up in August 2020 has imparted training to the Investigating Officers of all districts Anti-Narcotics Cells (ANC) as well as Investigating Officers of the Bureau regarding seizure of property of culprits under NDPS Act and PIT NDPS Act. As a result of which, properties worth Rs. 25,09,21,300.48 have been attached and seizure of property worth Rs. 6,82,94,967.89 is under process, added Sh. Vij.

Vij was responding to a calling attention motion moved during the on-going Monsoon Session in the Vidhan Sabha here today. While urging all the members in the House of Vidhan Sabha here today, Sh. Vij said, “Join hands, we will walk together to prevent drug abuse in the state”.

Vij said that the State Government is aware of the problem of drug trafficking and drug abuse in the State and the Government is addressing the problem with a three-pronged strategy, which includes reduction in the supply of narcotic substances, illicit drugs, dependent on drug Management, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and drug abuse prevention/demand reduction.

Sh. Vij informed that in the year 2020, Haryana Police registered 2982 cases under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 4477 persons and recovered 221.672 kg of Opium, 230.764 Kg of Charas, 12725.672 Kg of Poppy Husk, 8641.6 kg of Ganja, 35.9935 kg of Heroin, 1.10 gms of Cocaine, 1297485 tablets and 206970 capsules.

During 2021 the Haryana Police registered 2745 cases under NDPS act, arrested 3975 persons and recovered 345.496 kg of Opium, 157.259 kg of Charas, 8550.077 kg of Poppy Husk, 11368.07 kg of Ganja, 29.13586 kg of Heroin, 1304530 tablets and 45280 capsules.

He informed that in this calendar year up to August 2 the State Police has registered 2334 cases under the NDPS Act and arrested 3209 persons and recovered 181.287 kg of Opium, 145.093 Kg of Charas, 7435.38 Kg of Poppy Husk, 10193.482 kg of Ganja, 20.311436 kg of Heroin, 13 gms of Cocaine, 27.236 gms of MDMA, 427920.54 tablets and 271769 capsules.

Sh. Vij said that in the case related to seizure of 12.790 kg Ganja in District Sonipat, detailed investigation is being carried out in case FIR No. 406 dated 18.07.2022 u/s 20 NDPS Act Police Station, City Sonipat.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed that the drug had been brought to Sonipat by train and gave details of the handler residing in Sadar Bazar of Delhi. Raids are being conducted to arrest the other accused persons.

It is worth mentioning that in the second case relating to FIR No. 351 dated 17.05.2022 u/s 20, 29 NDPS Act, Police Station City Hansi, 101.70 Kg Ganja was seized on the basis of secret information received by Haryana Police.

The investigation has revealed that consignment of this illicit contraband came to Haryana from Odisha by road traversing through many states. The main supplier accused has already been arrested from Odisha on May 23, 2022. The accused 5 who had been able to evade other State Police forces, were intercepted and arrested by Haryana Police.

A few deaths may have occurred due to drug overdose/ misuse. Investigations in all such matters are underway and reports of FSL, final medical opinion regarding cause of mortality etc., are awaited to conclusively ascertain the actual reason of death in such incidents.HSNCB has chalked out a comprehensive State Action Plan for prevention and detection of drug trafficking and collection about drug addicts.

The Chief Minister launched the State Action Plan for eradication of drug menace on June 26, 2022 with three given objectives:
Demand Reduction: – A five-tier structure from village to State level has been designed with a vision to build a mechanism to prevent and control NDPS.
At the level of tier-I, approximately 6538 Village Mission Teams (VMT) and 1710 Ward Mission Teams (WMT) are being constituted. The prime objective of these teams is to identify victims of substance abuse in rural as well as urban areas.

The data shall be uploaded on “Prayaas app” developed by HSNCB. This information shall further be shared with the tier-II Cluster Mission Teams (CMT532) which also has representation from health department.
Tier-III (72 Sub Division Mission Teams-SDMT), Tier-IV (22 District Mission Teams-DMT) and Tier-V (State Mission Teams-SMT comprising of 18 heads of the department) shall be supervisory and ensure implementation of State Action Plan in their respective areas.
As a pilot project, implementation has been initiated in 08 districts namely Hisar, Jind, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Yamuna Nagar, Ambala and Panchkula.
Supply Reduction: – Two Android Mobile Applications namely “Prayaas” and “Sathi” have been designed by HSNCB with an aim to help addicts and victims in recognising, understanding and fighting their issues anonymously.

Further this information will be automatically integrated with “Hawk” software run by HSNCB. This data will be utilized for criminal prosecution of all those indulging in illegal trade.

Through “Sathi” app, supply-chain of drugs prohibited under NDPS Act, 1985 and related laws shall be monitored and regulated. The information of pharmaceutical drugs and precursors prohibited under NDPS Act, 1985 shall be uploaded on “Sathi” app by manufacturers, stockists, retailers and chemists.
Further, this information will automatically get incorporated in the database of core application software “Hawk”. It will help in real-time monitoring of manufacture, supply and sales of pharmaceutical drug. Its implementation has been started in district Sonipat as a pilot project.

Mass Awareness: – For mass awareness “Dhakad” Programme has been designed and implemented to prevent drug abuse among the adolescent and youth, particularly students. Approximately 25 lakhs students and their associated families shall be covered, which shall cover almost half of the State population.

A large number of social NGOs, organisations and personalities are being involved for ensuring public awareness. Apart from the above, HSNCB has organized 883 Awareness Programme in Educational Institutes and societies throughout the State. 358390 persons/youth participated in these programmes and 110236 have taken e-pledge.

HSNCB has prepared a dossier/interrogation form in which all details of NDPS cases are to be filled by investigating officers. Further, that information is being uploaded on “Hawk software”.

This software helps to consolidate data of NDPS cases on a server which can generate automatic reports of accused persons, category of contrabands seized, present scenario of drugs trends in particular districts etc.

HSNCB has established toll free number 9050891508 for general public. The motive for launching toll free number is to provide an environment in which general public can give information against drug peddlers, seek help for de-addiction. It will also ensure that the identity of the person/informer providing information remains secret.

An Interstate Anti-Drug Secretariat has been established for liasioning, information sharing and co-ordination with all Northern States i.e. Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territories of Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on August 24,2018 in the office of State Crime Branch, Haryana at Panchkula.

In order to provide treatment and manage the victims of substance abuse, the Government is regulating the functioning of drug de-addiction centres and counselling centres through the Haryana Drug De-Addiction Rules, 2010 as amended in 2018.

The State Licensing Authority has issued 132 licenses/registrations in the State as on date, out of which 15 drug de-addiction centres are operating in district hospitals, 3 in medical colleges.

102 are being run by the non-governmental organisations including District Red Cross Societies and District Child Welfare Councils. In addition, 15 psychiatric nursing homes licensed by Health Department are also registered for providing drug de-addiction services.

The number of registered patients is 44643 in 2015, 57995 in 2016, 70082 in 2017, 101599 in 2018, 116311 in 2019, 108426 in 2020, 115587 in 2021 and 97474 as of July 31, 2022.

Haryana State Society for Prevention of Substance Use has been formed by the Government in 2019, under the chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary to implement the State Action Plan which will address the issues of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation and will further coordinate with schools, colleges and universities to generate awareness and capacity building.

There is a special focus on providing drug de-addiction and rehabilitation services in prisons and observation homes, and 2 such centres have been sanctioned in the State Prisons so far which will begin shortly.

Replying with respect to Calling Attention Notice No. 41, he further said that In District Faridabad, police is continuously taking steps to reduce demand and supply of drugs and illegal liquor.

A total number of 753 persons have been arrested in 732 cases registered in the year 2022 in Faridabad under Excise Act till now. Recovery of 20374.50 Bottles Licit Liquor, 80 Litres Illicit Liquor, 9545.50 Bottles English Liquor and 4512 Bottles Beer has been made.

A total number 221 cases have been registered under NDPS Act during the year 2022 and 240 persons have been arrested till now. Recovery of 1.2 kg charas, 556 gm smack, 362 kg ganja, 7.55 kg Poppy Husk and 576 kg bhang has been made. Several awareness programmes have also been conducted regarding the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Regarding illicit trade of drugs in Machhli Mandi PS Mujesar, Faridabad also continuous action is being taken. In the year 2022, till now 06 cases under Excise Act have been registered and 06 persons have been arrested.

Further, 16 cases have been registered under NDPS Act in which 22 persons have been arrested. 38 cases have been registered during the year 2022 for public consumption of liquor in Faridabad in which 44 persons have been arrested.

On June 28, 2021, MLA Sh. Neeraj Sharma, NIT FBD had raided MCF Booster Station, Ward No. 06 with his associates and media persons. On receipt of this information, a Daily Diary entry was made in Police Station Saran and the facts of the incident were got verified through Assistant Commissioner of Police, Badkhal, Faridabad who found that no cognizable offence was made out.

Sh. Neeraj Sharma, MLA Faridabad is residing at House no. 1623, Main Road, Jawahar Colony, Faridabad and no incident of sale of illicit liquor in his neighbourhood has come to notice. However, continuous surveillance is being carried out in this regard.

Regarding Dabua Sabzi Mandi, regular patrolling and surveillance is being conducted in the area to prevent incidents of sale of illicit liquor and drinking at public places.

Sh. Vij said that 3205 persons during the year 2016, 900 persons in 2017, 3445 persons in 2018, 3865 persons in 2019 and 4941 persons in 2020 were arrested involved in drug peddling.

Similarly, some drug peddlers from other states were also arrested in Haryana including 15 arrested in the year 2020, 57 in 2021 and 55 arrested in 2022 from Gurugram. 29 arrested in the year 2020, 31 in 2021 and 47 in 2022 arrested in Faridabad. 29 arrested in the year 2020, 49 in 2021 and 43 arrested in 2022 from Panchkula.

He further said that 30 arrested in the year 2020, 25 in the year 2020, 29 arrested in 2021 from Yamunanagar. 35 arrested in 2020 and 22 in 2021 from in Kurukshetra. 45 were arrested in the year 2020, 45 in 2021 from in Kaithal. 30 arrested in 2020 and 25 arrested in 2021 from Panipat.

He said that 19 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 45 in 2021 from Karnal. 16 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 21 in 2021 from Rohtak. 2 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 25 in 2021 from Jhajjar, He said that 21 in 2020 and 19 in 2021 from Sonipat. 4 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 6 arrested in 2021 from Dadri, 7 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 3 in 2021 in Bhiwani, 32 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 26 in 2021 in Hisar, 220 drug peddlers arrested in Sirsa in 2020 and 129 in 2021.

He said that 11 drug pedlers arrested in 2020 and 6 in 2021 in Rewari, 9 drug pedlers arrested in 2020 and 2 in 2021 in Nuh, 13 drug pedlers arrested in 2020 and 11 in 2021 in Palwal, 7 drug pedlers arrested in Hansi in 2020 and 3 in 2021, 93 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 50 in 2021 in Fatehabad, 3 drug peddlers arrested in 2020 and 13 in 2021 in Narnaul.

Sh. Vij said that the police is consistently working to eliminate drug peddling and we are looking forward for the reforms. Although there is a shortage of police, but I have given directions to concerned officials to prevent drug menace at any cost in the state.

The Home Minister said that there are certain issues to combat drug peddling but efforts are being made to prevent drug abuse. In this regard, every week the Superintendents of Police are deployed to submit detailed information about drugs peddling in the districts. The Department is initiating strict action against the SPs who are not taking action in the cases regarding drug peddling, he added.