In a concerning trend emerged after abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and a subsequent months long siege, Indian authorities have confirmed the registration of at least 25,400 drug addicts in OPD and 1,595 in IPD across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir since 2022. 

According to Kashmir Media Service, responding to a question raised by several MLAs including Tanvir Sadiq, Basheer Ahmad Veeri, Narinder Singh, Shabir Ahmad Kullay and Javid Ahmad Mirchal, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department Minister said 9,775 drug abusers were registered in OPD in the year 2022, followed by 8,700 in 2023 and 6,925 in 2024.

Similarly, 306 drug abusers were registered in IPD in 2022, 586 in 2023, and 703 in 2024. Itoo said the Health and Medical Education Department is aware of the gravity of the drug menace and recognises it as a highly sensitive issue requiring collective efforts for its eradication.

 In a tacit criticism at the Modi regime for its failure to curb the menace, she said the enforcement of stringent laws is the prerogative of law enforcement agencies like Indian Police and the CID Organization, which fall under the exclusive control of New Delhi.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)