Srinagar, Nov 5 : Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered more than 1,500 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arrested 1,941 people and attached properties worth Rs 154 crore in Kashmir this year, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Sujit Kumar said on Thursday, warning that proceeds from narcotics trafficking were also being channelled into militant networks.
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Addressing a press conference at the Police Control Room (PCR) Kashmir in Srinagar, the IGP said police had intensified action against drug trafficking, cyber fraud and dangerous driving, identifying the three as major challenges affecting young people across the Valley.
He said police had seized 1,711 kilograms of contraband, recovered more than Rs 10 lakh in cash and frozen 567 bank accounts linked to narcotics-related activities. He also said illicit crops spread over 2,116 kanals had been destroyed during enforcement operations.
“The purpose of sharing these figures is to show that our teams are working on the ground. But enforcement alone is not enough. We want our youth to play a constructive role in society, and the entire Kashmir Police team stands ready to help them,” Kumar said.
The IGP said the police were particularly concerned about young people struggling with drug addiction and assured them of assistance without compromising their identities.
“Those who are fighting drug addiction and want to come out of it can approach any police station. We will protect their identity and help them in their recovery,” he said.
He said the Police Drug Rehabilitation Centre was providing treatment at minimal cost, with patients required to bear only expenses relating to food and medicines where applicable.
On the relationship between drug trafficking and militancy, Kumar said narcotics proceeds were being used to support militant networks, including their overground workers.
“The kingpins, whether operating here or across the border, distribute earnings from narcotics to their overground workers. This is true, although it is difficult to specify the exact volume of money involved,” he said.
He said narcotics entering Kashmir originated both from across the border and from other states, with investigations establishing links to multiple supply routes.
Referring to a major drug racket recently uncovered in downtown Srinagar, the IGP said investigators were pursuing its wider network, including links outside Jammu and Kashmir.
He said teams had been dispatched to Chandigarh and other states to trace those involved in the racket, which had reportedly yielded recoveries worth around Rs 7 crore and led to several arrests.
“The SSP has sent teams not only to Chandigarh but also to other states where the racket has links. The investigation is being pursued at a larger level, and the entire forward and backward network will come to light,” Kumar said.
The IGP also expressed concern over the growing involvement of local youth in cybercrime, saying investigations had revealed cases in which young people based in Kashmir were operating fraudulent networks targeting victims within the region and elsewhere.
Citing a case detected in Ganderbal, he said investigators had uncovered a cyber fraud operation with Chinese links that was allegedly being run by a Srinagar-based youth.
“Some of our own young people are sitting here and cheating their own people. This is wrong, and they must stay away from such activities,” he said.
Sharing cybercrime figures, Kumar said police had received 12,385 complaints involving more than Rs 54 crore during the current year.
Of this amount, Rs 7.48 crore had been recovered, while additional funds had been frozen or placed under lien in bank accounts pending legal procedures.
“We have recovered around 13 to 14 per cent of the amount involved. A substantial portion of the remaining money is under lien or frozen, while some could not be traced or blocked,” he said.
He said 93 FIRs had been registered in connection with cyber fraud complaints, including seven cases relating to mule accounts used to facilitate fraudulent financial transactions.
The IGP urged people to report cyber fraud immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930, saying timely complaints could help authorities freeze suspicious transactions and recover money.
“When a complaint is registered and verified through the national portal, banks can freeze the amount, and the money can subsequently be returned through the legal process,” he explained.
Warning young people against allowing their bank accounts to be used by fraudsters, Kumar said such involvement could expose them to criminal prosecution.
“If you create mule accounts or misuse somebody’s account to take away their hard-earned money, the police will reach you. Instead, contribute positively to society,” he said.
On the security situation, Kumar said one local militant was active in Kashmir and was being supported by a few foreign militants.
He said the local militant had been linked to attacks in Anantnag and Kulgam, while security forces were continuing efforts to track the group.
“There is certainly one local terrorist, supported by a few foreign terrorists. We have some footprints, but giving a fixed number of active terrorists would be an exaggeration because they are constantly moving from one place to another,” he said.
Asked about recent infiltration attempts, the IGP said he did not have verified figures to share.
On the recent encounter in the high-altitude areas adjoining Budgam and Poonch, Kumar said the militants had been operating in difficult mountainous terrain.
He said sustained domination of these areas by security forces, including specialised units, had resulted in successful operations.
“The area is vast, and operational possibilities are manifold. Security forces are taking all possible measures,” he said.
Responding to a question about the use of advanced communication equipment by militants, Kumar declined to disclose operational details but maintained that the technologies being used by militant groups were under surveillance.
“Whatever technology they are using is on our radar. Operational and security-related details should remain within the security sphere,” he said.
The IGP also addressed growing concerns over rash driving, stunt biking, modified motorcycle exhausts and other traffic violations, particularly among young motorists.
He said police had stepped up traffic enforcement during both daytime and nighttime hours, warning that dangerous driving threatened not only motorists but also pedestrians and other road users.
“Our roads are already congested, and the number of vehicles is increasing every day. Rash driving puts your own life at risk and also endangers innocent people,” he said.
Kumar specifically criticised motorcycles fitted with excessively loud exhaust systems, saying they disturbed elderly people, patients and residents, particularly during nighttime hours.
“If you ride a loud motorcycle at night, you disturb elderly people, patients and those who are sleeping. Such behaviour cannot be justified,” he said.
He also urged motorists to avoid using mobile phones while driving, observe traffic rules and refrain from illegal parking and unsafe road crossings.
Citing a recent case, Kumar said Srinagar Police had traced a 20-year-old first-year BSc student who uploaded a video of himself performing motorcycle stunts on the Foreshore Road.
The student, who described himself as a stunt biker on social media, was called by police and counselled about the risks associated with his actions.
“He admitted that what he had done was wrong and subsequently appealed to other young people through social media not to indulge in such stunts,” Kumar said.
The IGP urged young people to use social media platforms to promote responsible behaviour instead of glorifying dangerous activities.
“If you want to make reels, make videos that encourage others to give up drugs and dangerous biking. Such messages can have a positive impact on society,” he said.
Asked about individuals accused of cheating job aspirants while displaying photographs with senior police and civil administration officers, Kumar cautioned the public against mistaking photographs with officials for evidence of influence or official endorsement.
He said officers often agreed to photographs as a goodwill gesture, but such interactions did not mean they supported the activities of those photographed.
“If an officer agrees to a photograph with someone, it does not mean the officer will support that person’s wrongdoings. People must understand this distinction,” he said.
Kumar also warned against individuals promising government employment through personal connections or influence.
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“Jobs are given on merit. You do not get employment through coercion or by claiming connections with officials,” he said.
He maintained that action would be taken against those found involved in fraudulent recruitment activities, irrespective of their claimed influence or official associations.
The IGP said police were working to address remaining gaps in enforcement but acknowledged that cooperation from civil society, parents and young people was essential.
“We are covering the grey areas in our system, but we need the support of civil society and youth. We are receiving that support, and together we must address these challenges,” he said.
Kumar said the purpose of the press conference was not merely to highlight arrests and recoveries but to encourage young people to distance themselves from narcotics, cybercrime and reckless driving.
He appealed to parents, community elders and educational institutions to help guide young people towards responsible conduct, assuring that Kashmir Police would provide assistance to those seeking rehabilitation and a return to normal life. (KNS)
