Also seeks status of NDPS cases, rehab policies and illegal cultivation monitoring
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to submit a detailed record of cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act over the past five years.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma issued the order while hearing public interest litigations (PILs) related to illegal opium cultivation in the state. The court aims to assess whether drug usage in Himachal Pradesh is on the rise or decline.
In addition to case data, the bench asked whether a draft policy on drug rehabilitation had been notified or was still under review. The court also instructed the government to file an affidavit outlining the drug rehabilitation facilities currently available at the district level.
The report must include details about the number of doctors, support staff, and beds in these centers and is expected to be submitted by May 27, the date of the next hearing.
Local bodies given responsibility to monitor illegal cultivation
Taking note of illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, the high court emphasised the accountability of local bodies. Suggestions presented by the amicus curiae proposed involving revenue and forest department field staff along with local panchayats in monitoring illegal cannabis and opium cultivation.
The high court directed that panchayats should bear primary responsibility for reporting such activities and recommended that individuals or villages found violating these norms should be disqualified from receiving government benefits.
Furthermore, the bench recommended introducing an incentive-based system, under which government officials and panchayats that actively help in curbing illegal farming would be rewarded for their efforts.
Need for tech-driven measures, inter-state coordination
According to a status report submitted by the Director General of Police on July 26, 2024, a total of 878 NDPS-related cases were registered by June 2024, resulting in 1,212 arrests.
Additionally, 77 cases were filed against those involved in illegal opium cultivation and one against illegal cannabis growers. A total of 27.05 bighas of wild cannabis was destroyed as of June 30, 2024.
The high court was also informed about the operationalisation of an inter-state coordination office in Panchkula, Haryana, aimed at drug trafficking prevention. Himachal Pradesh police personnel have been deployed at this center for better coordination with other states.
As part of its anti-drug strategy, the government launched a mobile application titled ‘Drug-Free Himachal’, which allows citizens to anonymously report drug peddlers and traffickers. By June 2024, the app had received 172 actionable tips, while state CID and intelligence units gathered 147 inputs through other means.
Specialised training for drug law enforcement officers is currently being conducted at the police training college in Daroh, Kangra district.
TNR News Network
