Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: Terming the growing drug and liquor abuse in Kashmir as a cause of great concern, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today appealed parents, teachers, Ulema, Mohalla Committees and Masjid Committees to wake up to this reality and take steps in this regard.
Addressing the Friday congregational at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said that availability of drugs and its distribution has become a well organized trade in Kashmir, especially in Srinagar where during evening hours, the peddlers openly distribute drugs to youth at graveyards, parks, play grounds and anywhere.
Mirwaiz said the unfortunate part is that the drug peddlers are targeting even school children and students in colleges and universities. Figures suggest that those affected are not in hundreds but in thousands, including girls and even professionals are falling prey to it, he added .
Mirwaiz said that if the situation continues to remain so , time is not far when Kashmir will turn into the State of Punjab , where drug abuse is most rampant. “Drug abuse is fast spreading in the downtown areas of Srinagar and it’s the primary responsibility of the parents to give time to their children and be aware of their activities, to help them keep away from drugs,” he said adding that Shahr-e-Khass areas, especially those adjoining Makhdoom Sahab are reportedly the hub of drug business as almost every day complaints about drug distribution pour in from this area. Besides this, Miwaiz said, other areas include Malkha, and it’s adjoining areas. He said people residing in these areas have to be vigilant in this regard .
Mirwaiz made a fervent appeal to parents, teachers, Ulema, Mohalla Committees and Masjid Committees to wake up to this reality and take steps in this regard. He said easy money made available to children makes access to drugs easy for them . He said parents have to take the responsibility for this.
Mirwaiz stressed that the law enforcing agencies have to take urgent measures to arrest those behind openly indulging in its trade and distribution. “People of the respective areas should extend full cooperation and support to such drive. It is the primary responsibility of the State administration to crack the whip on those involve in the drug distribution and drug trade in Kashmir and ensure stern punishment to all those involved in this nexus, he added.
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