Drive against drug menace yields results

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 29

Massive drive against drug menace launched by the Himachal government and destruction of cannabis and poppy plantations have yielded desirable results. Besides, due to awareness generated among people, there has been 40 per cent increase in cases registered under the NDPS Act. People are coming out against drug menace and cooperating with law enforcing and investigating agencies.

As a result, 804 cases have been registered during the current year in first 10 months which is more than the cases registered in previous years in 11 months, said IG (Law and Order) Southern Range S Zahur H Zaidi. As many as 481 cases were registered under the NDPS Act in first 11 months in 2013, 599 in 2014 and 557 in 2015.

However, there has been sharp decline in property-related cases which have come down by 30 per cent as compared to previous years and the cases of cruelty to women have also come down, he said adding that the overall crime in the state has shown downward trend. As many as 187 cases were reported in 2016 till October as compared to 300, 306 and 212 cases registered in first eleven months of 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

There was no significant change in the crime pattern after demonetization of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes and barring a few cases, there was no major seizure of cash (old currency) during the past two weeks in comparison to other states.

A total number of 19 thefts, 18 burglaries and one robbery case were reported in the first fortnight of November till November 15 as compared to 18 thefts, 21 burglaries and one robbery reported on an average in two weeks during past years. Further, there is no significant change in pattern or criminal offences and efforts made by the police have helped in keeping the crime under control.

He said the number of measures like installation of CCTV cameras, awareness among citizens, imparting unarmed combat training to girl students, opening of five women police stations and increase in the number of lady police officers in every police station and recruitment of more women in police force have contributed in reducing the crime against women in the state. Women constitute 11.5 per cent of the police force in the state, which is second highest in the country after Tamil Nadu, he added.