Ranchi Launches Panchayat-Level Anti-Narcotics Drive to Combat Opium Cultivation

Ranchi: The district administration, in association with mukhiyas, pradhans, and social workers under its jurisdiction, would soon launch an anti-narcotics drive at the panchayat level to curb opium cultivation.

Chairing a meeting of the district NCORD Committee (Narcotics Control Coordination) on Thursday, deputy commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri directed officials to take strict action against smuggling, production, and misuse of narcotic substances.

Discussions were held on formulating and strictly implementing a coordinated strategy to tackle the problem. “Identify drug hotspots across all police station areas and intensify special surveillance in those areas. Expedite the process of seizing assets of drug smugglers and completely dismantle their networks,” Bhajantri said.

Inspect medical shops, pharmacies, chemical outlets, and pharmaceutical stores, and enforce a complete ban on the sale of prohibited drugs, he stressed.

“Strengthen check-posts in border areas and along transportation routes. ALso, establish coordination with neighbouring districts to curb inter-state drug trafficking,” the DC stated.

The DC instructed officials to identify individuals involved in opium cultivation and keep them under surveillance to ensure they do not revert to opium farming. Also, a strict vigil should be kept on individuals involved in selling drugs and stringent action should be taken against them, he added.

Bhajantri said, “Protecting our future generation from the menace of narcotics is a collective responsibility that rests upon all of us. The administration, the police, and all departments concerned will work in complete coordination to achieve the goal of making Ranchi a drug-free district.”

The DC appealed to all citizens to immediately inform the district control room, the police control room, or their local police station if they receive any information regarding the trafficking, sale, or misuse of narcotics in any area.

“You can also provide this information anonymously by calling the Narcotics Prohibition Information Centre toll-free number, 1933,” Bhajantri said.

Officials were also directed to take action against de-addiction centres operating illegally in the district.

The campaign would be implemented with support from the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society.