Ludhiana rural police attached properties worth Rs 30 cr of 35 smugglers in 3 months

Four kg of heroin, 2,300 kg of poppy husk and properties worth Rs 30 crore of 35 drug smugglers have been attached by the Ludhiana (rural) police in the past three months. But many residents are still worried about the future of the rural youth. Reason, they are scared that if the police adopt a casual approach, contrary to the strictness adopted in the past two-three months, the youth may again get easy accessibility to drugs.

SSP Ludhiana (rural) Ankur Gupta told The Tribune that the district had topped in forfeiture of properties under 68 F provision in the state with getting approval for the forfeiture of immovable and moveable properties worth approximately Rs 30 crore of 35 smugglers during the past three months. Claiming that three properties at various places had been razed as part of the Yudha Nashian Virudh drive by following guidelines of the Apex Court, Gupta said a process for taking coercive steps against some more peddlers had also been started.

In Moga, properties of seven peddlers were attached.

“We do understand that the drugs have really ruined the lives of the youth in all these years but things have been too different in the past two months. Having arrested 10 big fish in two months, we have initiated a process for taking coercive steps against all notorious drug peddlers,” said Gupta, adding that 4 kg of heroin and 2,300 kg of poppy husk were seized during the past two months, besides recovering Rs 2 lakh drug money.

The SSP said the district police were also committed towards rehabilitation of drug addicts who showed willingness to join the mainstream.

“Besides proceeding against 17 addicts under Section 64A of the NDPS Act, we have facilitated 29 addicts get admission to drug de-addiction centres whereas 180 persons were referred to OOAT centres for counselling and administration of buprenorphine during the past two weeks,” the SSP said.

He said the main aim of the police was to bring back the lost trust of the parents towards the police.

“We are observing everything minutely and whosoever involved in the drug trade would not be spared. I have been visiting villages and talking to residents to get feedback in this regard. All loopholes would be plugged in the near future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paramjeet Kaur of Mehla Mandal Jodhan said things had really improved in the past two-three months as drugs, which were easily available to youth, were not available now.

“We cannot say that the whole situation has changed but there is a fear and threat of law-enforcing agencies, which has given sleepless nights to those dealing in drugs,” she said.

Ludhiana