PUNJAB’S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE

PRELIMS BITS

Punjab, vulnerable due to its proximity to Pakistan and the Golden Crescent, is grappling with a severe drug crisis. To address this, the Punjab government has requested Rs 600 crore from the Centre for special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) courts to expedite drug-related case hearings.

Key Points:

• NDPS Courts and Case Backlog:
  • NDPS courts are established under the 1985 NDPS Act to handle narcotics-related cases.
  • Punjab faces a backlog of 35,000 drug-related cases, with an average resolution time of 7 years (could extend to 11 years without intervention).
  • Punjab plans to set up 79 new NDPS courts to expedite the process.
• Funding and Resources:
  • Punjab requests Rs 60 crore annually for the next decade to establish NDPS courts and hire necessary staff.
  • Additional resources sought for anti-narcotics operations and de-addiction centers under the National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse.
• Geographical Challenges:
  • Punjab shares a 552 km border with Pakistan, with gaps in fencing exploited by traffickers.
  • The use of drones for drug smuggling is making interception efforts more challenging.
• Golden Crescent:
  • Located at the crossroads of Central, South, and Western Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan), the Golden Crescent is a major opium-producing region.
  • Afghanistan is the main producer, while Iran serves as a transit and consumer country.
  • The region fuels drug trafficking, which supports terrorism and insurgency, impacting Indian states like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Judicial Support:
  • In September 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court recognized the need for special NDPS courts.
  • The 1997 Law Commission report also recommended the establishment of such courts to address enforcement gaps in the NDPS Act.
• Ongoing Drug Control Efforts:
  • Since 2022, Punjab has registered over 31,500 NDPS cases, resulting in 43,000 arrests and significant narcotics seizures.
  • Assets worth Rs 449 crore linked to drug traffickers have been frozen.
  • A comprehensive criminal database has been created to enhance case management.