Bandipora : The District Magistrate (DM) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, on Friday chaired a meeting of the District-Level Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee at the Mini Secretariat Bandipora to review enforcement, awareness, and rehabilitation measures being implemented across the district to curb the drug menace.
The meeting discussed a range of issues, including destruction of wild cannabis cultivation, inspection of courier services and the functioning of the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) at District Hospital Bandipora.
The District Social Welfare Officer briefed the committee about awareness initiatives such as street plays, yoga and fitness campaigns, and community outreach activities, while representatives from Excise, Drug Control, and Education Departments shared their respective progress reports.
On the occasion, the representative of the Excise Department briefed about the chemical treatment and destruction of wild cannabis fields and joint awareness programmes conducted with the Agriculture Department.
The Drug Control Department informed the meeting about installation of CCTV cameras and computerized billing systems at medical establishments, and regular inspection of courier services to prevent misuse.
On the occasion, the District Magistrate stressed that identified hotspots must be divided into priority sectors for effective surveillance and targeted interventions. She directed that mass awareness programmes be organized in collaboration with all line departments, with the district administration deciding the venues, audiences, and schedules. The DM assigned the ADC Bandipora to work in close coordination with the district police to streamline these efforts.
She also emphasized the formation of a core group of volunteers to assist the administration in community-level outreach and early intervention against substance abuse.
During the meeting, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipora, Ajaz Zargar, highlighted the continuing crackdown on peddlers and the measures taken to destroy illegal cultivation and supply networks.
The DM lauded the inter-departmental coordination and urged all stakeholders to intensify preventive measures, improve community awareness, and strengthen rehabilitation mechanisms to ensure a drug-free Bandipora.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl; Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, District Information Officer Bandipora, and representatives from other concerned departments, while several officers from line departments joined the meeting virtually.
