Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today reviewed the status of properties of migrant Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.
During the meeting, Dr Samoon was informed that a group of Pandits have approached the Supreme Court with complaints that their properties have allegedly been encroached, damaged or sold.
The J&K’s summer capital Srinagar tops the list with 12 such cases followed by five in Budgam, four in Kulgam, three in Budgam, two in Baramulla and one each in Ganderbal and Pulwama.
Dr Samoon directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners through video-conferencing to file a status report on the matter along with the action taken report so that the apex court could be apprised about the issue.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioners of the Valley including Leh and Kargil to initiate the process for setting up of drug de-addiction centres in districts.
Speaking at a round table conference held here today, Dr Samoon said there is an urgent need to create public awareness using a multi-pronged approach to deal with the menace of drugs in Kashmir region.
“Drug abuse is used as a stress coping mechanism. The menace has grown due to the continuous strife and other stress related problems. In this, police stations could be the nucleus of change. We will also partner with the civil society and religious groups in Kashmir to tackle the problem,” Dr Samoon said.
The Divisional Commissioner said the Department of Education should take a lead in curtailing the drug menace by organising awareness campaigns in educational institutions.
“Sports and Education Departments have a primary role in taking away children from drugs. We should evolve policies to reward teachers who make a change. Even two lines before morning assembly prayers about drug menace will go a long way in addressing the problem,” Dr Samoon said.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the Health Department to set up separate drug de-addiction wards in district and sub district hospitals and conduct monthly awareness camps in collaboration with International Committee of Red Cross.
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