File pic

Srinagar, Aug 3: Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said a large number of youth are falling to the drugs and called for collective fight the “menace”.

The top police officer of J&K toured Srinagar and among others visited Youth Development & Rehabilitation Centre Srinagar and took stock of its functioning.

During his visit he interacted with the staff and the affected persons admitted in the centre, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

“Because of the cross-border involvement in large scale smuggling of narcotics, a large number of youth are falling to the drug menace,” the DGP was quoted as saying in the statement. “We need to fight their evil intentions collectively,” he said.

Those who come out from the drug habit deserve respect in the society. The DGP appreciated the staff for ensuring effective functioning of the centre. He assured all possible help from Police Headquarters for further improving the facilities in the centre.

The DGP said that JK Police besides taking care of the drug affected persons was working hard to stop the spread of drug menace in J&. “J&K Police in recent past seized a huge quantity of drug consignments sent from across the border aimed to harm our youth and generate funds for the (militant) groups,” he said.

During the current year, the DGP was informed that a total of 2451 OPD and 247 IPD drug affected persons have been treated in police drug de-addiction centres in the J&K.

The DGP was accompanied by ADGP Headquarters, PHQ, M.K Sinha, ADGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, DIG CKR, Sujit Kumar, SSP Srinagar and other jurisdictional officers.

During the tour the DGP visited many places of Srinagar city which included Noorbagh, Sadepora, Sangam, Eidgah and other areas of the old city. He reviewed on ground security and deployment arrangements. While interacting with the officers, the DGP said that every measure enforced by JK is aimed to safeguard the lives of the people. “Pakistan is continuously attempting malicious and false propaganda to vitiate the growing peace in J&K and JKP along with other security forces has been working and would continue to work for providing better environment to the people.”