Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 15
Despite a 40 per cent reduction in number as compared to the last year, Punjab continues to be second in the country regarding registration of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2020, said the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report-2020 released today.
As many as 4,039 cases were registered for carrying drugs for trafficking than for consumption (2,870 cases), said the report. Punjab is categorised as a major transit point for drugs.
Several cases are often reported where drugs from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jammu and Kahsmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan reach the state and are subsequently smuggled to metropolitan cities and even abroad.
Uttar Pradesh tops the country with 10,852 cases registered under the NDPS Act. In 2019 also, Punjab had ranked second in the NCRB report.
In 2019, 11,536 cases under NDPS Act were registered in Punjab. Out of these 5,609 were registered for possession of drugs for personal use or consumption and 5,927 for possession of drugs for trafficking.
However, the drastic reduction in the cases to 40 per cent this year may bring a sigh of relief for the incumbent Congress government.
Being 16th position population-wise in the country, Punjab faces a major drug problem and the government had set up a Special Task Force in 2017 against the menace. It remains a burning political issue as well. Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had taken an oath during campaigning of 2017 Assembly elections to wipe off the menace from the state.
Punjab ranks third in cases registered for inciting hate against the country. Though only seven cases were registered, the third rank in the country is worrisome. Uttar Pradesh tops the category with 82 cases while Assam is second with 58 cases.
Maximum for trafficking
4,039 cases registered for drug trafficking and 2,870 for consumption, second to Uttar Pradesh (10,852 cases)
40% reduction in cases, as per NCRB, may come in as relief for govt
NDPS cases fall, but state at 2nd spot: NCRB
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