Drug Crimes, Cover Story 3 April 2023 issue.

Drug crimes 

News Kashmir Analysis 

With rising drug addiction the crime graph in Jammu and Kashmir especially the valley of Kashmir is also running north.

Unheard crimes and that of heinous, brutal nature are happening with regular occurrence in Kashmir. 

As a matter of humongous shame,  Matricide is also happening often. 

In a grim episode, drug addict’ son killed his elderly mother in Dangerpora village of Sopore in north Kashmir’s on Wednesday night, 29 March , 2023.

The accused Showket Ahmed who strangulated his mother to death was a chronic drug addict and was taken by police in preventive custody several times owing to his drug addiction. 

“Around 11:30pm, Showket knocked on our door and was carrying an iron rod in his hand. We got panicked especially my wife who had undergone a surgery yesterday. Showket told me there are some unknown men at his home but noticing him under the influence of drugs, I pushed him away and locked the door again,” said Showket’s brother, Mushtaq Ahmed, who resides next to mother’s house told to media outlet.

Confirming the unfortunate incident, a senior police officer said that they have launched a large-scale manhunt to nab the accused.

“We are looking into all possible angles regarding the incident”, the officer said adding, “Once any further details are available, same will be shared accordingly.”

Before it  October last year, a resident of Kehribal in Anantnag killed his own mother only to steal money from the deceased. After the murder, the suspect, along with his friend, created a fake story to mislead the people and the police by blaming his relatives for the crime.

The heinous crimes in Kashmir are linked to rising drug abuse. Kashmir has become epicenter of drug abuse in country.

The National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment India through National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi has said that there are nearly 10 lakh drug addicts in Jammu and Kashmir.

The data was revealed after National Conference Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi in Lok Sabha sought details of total number of suspected drug addicts in the union territory.

As per the data, 1,08,000 males and 36,000 females were found using cannabis while 5,34,000 males and 8,000 females were found in the dragnet of opioids and 1,60,000 males and 8,000 females were found using sedatives of different kinds.

One hopes that this dangerous trend of cocktail of drug and crimes in Kashmir is brought to an end.