Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday claimed that the main source of militancy in Kashmir is the 'illegal drug trade'.
"Narcotics trade is directly linked to militancy and is also destroying the lives of our youth. Drugs worth crores of rupees are being imported from across the LoC (Line of Control) to aid militancy in Kashmir," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said while addressing a press conference in a police control room (PCR) Srinagar.
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According to the IGP Kashmir, the police have recovered over 496 kg of narcotics and registered 304 cases against the traders during the past six months.
He said, "Recently, narco-terror modules were busted in north Kashmir's Handwara and Kupwara where heroin worth Rs 100 crore and cash Rs 1.37 Crore was seized from the kingpin of the module. Both the cases are now being handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) because dealers from other states like Punjab, Delhi etc are also involved."
Talking about the menace of drugs in the Valley, he said, "It has come to our notice that several girls have become peddlers and are selling drugs to youth at public places like outside schools, colleges and other areas in Srinagar. I have directed concerned police stations for necessary and immediate action where and when required. Several youths fall for militancy after becoming addicted. Drugs provide oxygen to militancy."
While responding to the allegations of the family members of the civilian who died during the Sopore attack, the IGP said, "The video message circulated on social media by the family members of the slain man is totally baseless. They have leveled allegations under militant threat."
"If there is any eye-witness, let them come forward. We will act accordingly," he added.
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