The alarming proportion with which drug abuse is catching up with our youth, with girls included, is major worry of society. It’s high time to save youth J&K establishes special courts for NDPSA cases for speedy deterrent effect.
Noticing J&K is listed high on drug abuse by Supreme Court and State High Court with 2734 cases pending trial at start of 2016 and pendency swelling up to 3079 cases at year end, S.S. Bijral BJP state spokesperson pressed the administration with need to urgently establish special courts for speedy trial and deterrent effect. He said it was because its gains are directly linked to militancy, cross border terrorism with large population of unemployed youth and harmful effects on nation future generation.
Narrating that 617 NDPASA cases registered in year 2016, brought an increase of 29 cases over previous year 2015, Bijral, the former IGP, said district of Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu division and Kulgam, Anantnag, Srinagar and Sopore in Kashmir division are the red areas in this illicit trade. With 213 cases ending in acquittals and only 45 cases ending in convictions in year 2016 coupled with long delayed trial, he said, adequately explain the reasons for the rising graph of menace of drug abuse.
Pointing that courts of District and Sessions Judges, the only empowered to try such cases, being over burdened, he stressed for establishing of ‘special courts’ as provided under the NDPSA and further directed by Supreme Court on Jan 23, 2013 and DB of state High Court on July 2014 for needed fear & prevention.
Pointing that large no. of 213 cases ended in acquittals against only 45 in conviction, was enough morale booster for drug mafia, he said, concerned authorities need to examine failing factors that harmed larger interests of the state and future generation.
