SHOPIAN, AUGUST 24: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta, Monday chaired a District-Level Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee meeting at the Mini-Secretariat, Shopian, to review and strengthen coordinated efforts to combat the drug menace in the district.
The meeting, as per an official statement, was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Choudhary; ADC, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz; ACR, Shakoor Ahmed Dar; SDM Zainapora, Bilal Ahmed; ACD, Muzaffar Ahmed; and senior officers from various departments, including Health, Education, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Horticulture, Transport, Excise & Taxation, besides representatives of concerned enforcement agencies.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on issues pertaining to narcotics control, prevention, enforcement and inter-departmental coordination. The participating officers shared updates and inputs from their respective departments and deliberated on measures to further strengthen the collective response against drug abuse.
The DC stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholders, effective enforcement and sustained awareness among youth and the general public to prevent drug abuse and safeguard the younger generation from the harmful consequences of substance abuse.
He directed all concerned departments and enforcement agencies to maintain close coordination and ensure timely follow-up and implementation of decisions taken during NCORD meetings.
The DC further directed SDM Zainapora to convene awareness meetings in the concerned areas to sensitise farmers and the general public against the cultivation of poppy and make them aware that such illegal cultivation invites strict legal action under law.
He also directed the Chief Education Officer (CEO) to ensure that all educational institutions remain clean, safe and drug-free, besides maintaining strict vigilance to prevent any substance-abuse-related activity.
The meeting concluded with directions for continued concerted efforts towards making Shopian a drug-free district.
