VIKAS SHARMA
JAMMU, SEPT 19: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a troubling rise in drug-related cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, but convictions remain shockingly low.
According to official figures tabled in the Rajya Sabha this year, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) reported that 1,857 NDPS cases were registered in J&K in 2022, which spiked to 2,149 in 2023, before dipping to 1,539 in 2024. Despite thousands of arrests made during this three-year period, the number of actual convictions is negligible — just one conviction in 2022, none in 2023, and only one again in 2024.
ANTF J&K on Vigil
Speaking to IMCSD Herald, Mohammad Anwar-Ul-Haq, SSP, Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), J&K, admitted that drug menace is posing a serious threat to the UT’s youth.
“Yes, the indulging of youth is a cause of real concern but we are vigilant enough, leaving no stone unturned to save our future generation,” the SSP said.
He further revealed that certain areas of Jammu district — including Rajeev Nagar, Qasim Nagar, and Beli Charana — have been identified as drug-supply hot spots. “We are keeping strict vigil over these areas and others in order to completely cut the supply chain,” he added.
On the issue of low convictions, the officer emphasized the urgent need for more Fast Track Courts in the UT to ensure speedy trial of the accused.
National Picture Equally Grim
The crisis is not limited to J&K alone. Across India, more than 3 lakh NDPS cases were registered between 2022 and 2024, yet only 268 convictions were recorded during the same period.
Punjab, one of the worst-affected states, registered 12,423 cases in 2022, 11,564 in 2023, and 9,025 in 2024, but secured just 9, 5, and 9 convictions respectively. Uttar Pradesh saw 10,273 cases in 2022, 8,221 in 2023, and 6,240 in 2024, yet convictions stood at 6, 12, and 24 in the corresponding years.
Kerala topped the chart with the highest number of cases — 26,918 in 2022, 30,715 in 2023, and 27,701 in 2024. However, despite such large numbers, convictions were limited to one in 2022, two in 2023, and two in 2024. Gujarat, with over 1,700 cases across three years, managed only 11 convictions.
Experts Call for Urgent Reforms
Legal experts believe the growing abuse of narcotics among youth and the strengthening of trafficking networks pose a grave threat to society.
“We need specialized fast-track NDPS courts, training for investigating officers, and stronger forensic support to convert arrests into convictions,” they stressed.
“The numbers make it clear: while the administration is registering cases in large numbers, conviction rates in J&K — and across India — remain abysmally low. Unless urgent reforms are introduced, the fight against narcotics will remain half-hearted, leaving the younger generation vulnerable to the scourge of addiction,” they added.
