Kishtwar, October 25, 2025: A District-Level NCORD meeting was today convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Sh. Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS), to review the ongoing measures aimed at combating drug abuse, strengthening the de-addiction framework, and assessing the progress of the Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner conducted a comprehensive review of the district’s prevailing situation and took detailed inputs from members regarding vulnerable areas, affected age groups, and identified hotspots.
He also evaluated the preventive and enforcement actions undertaken by the concerned departments. Emphasizing the importance of community engagement, the DC called for the active involvement of all stakeholders in the ongoing UT-wide IEC campaign.
He informed that nine resource persons from various line departments have been deputed to ensure wider outreach and effective public awareness on drug abuse prevention. He further reiterated that all Heads of Departments must ensure the participation of their nominated resource persons, cautioning that non-compliance or absenteeism would be viewed seriously.
The DC issued strict directions regarding the attachment or seizure of properties belonging to drug peddlers in accordance with the NDPS Act.
He also constituted a special inspection team, headed by the Tehsildar Kishtwar and the Drug Inspector, to carry out comprehensive checks of medical shops for psychotropic substances available in the market.
To curb the misuse of courier services for drug trafficking, the DC reminded all courier operators in the district to strictly adhere to the prescribed SOPs and guidelines, failing which strict legal action would be initiated under the NDPS Act.
He further directed the SSP Kishtwar to submit fortnightly inspection and enforcement reports regarding the checking of psychotropic and narcotic drugs handled by courier service providers operating in the district.
The Higher Education and School Education Departments were directed to ensure that all educational institutions in the district are declared Tobacco-Free Zones. Furthermore, the DC directed that 27 more Panchayats be declared Nasha Mukt, following due procedures and compliance with prescribed SOPs.
The DC also directed the ARTO Kishtwar that no driving licence shall be issued to any individual found involved in drug-related activities.
Calling for a collective and coordinated approach, the Deputy Commissioner urged all departments, law enforcement agencies, and community representatives to work in synergy to protect the youth and make Kishtwar a drug-free district.
The meeting was attended by SSP Kishtwar Sh. Naresh Singh (JKPS), ADC Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal, PO ICDS Kishtwar Rishi Kumar Sharma, DSWO Kishtwar Tariq Parvez Qazi,ARTO Kishtwar Tasleem Wani, CAO Kishtwar Kushal Chandel, Dy. CMO Kishtwar Masood Ahmed Qazi, AO DC Office Daleep Kumar,BMO Kishtwar Anil Sharma, Nodal Officer ATF Dr. Harris, and other senior officers and officials from line departments.
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