Ludhiana, July 21: Properties worth over Rs 220 crore of drug smugglers arrested by the Punjab Police have been attached in the past four years, but the entire amount has gone to the Union government, said director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora during a de-addiction programme organised by the Khanna police in Doraha in Ludhiana on Friday.
The DGP said the state government has received only Rs 72 lakh in return, hitting its initiatives against drug abuse.
Arora said he will take up the matter with the state government as whatever the smugglers earn is from addicts living in the state and the amount should be used in Punjab only.
If more amount is given to the state government, it will help it in eradicating drugs and subsequently lead to former drug addicts join the mainstream, said the state’s top cop.
Arora also called upon the public to assist police in eradicating “drug terrorism” from the state the same way they assisted in eliminating militancy.
Punjab is passing through a phase of change at the moment, the DGP said, adding that during this positive change, a large number of addicts are coming forward themselves to shun drugs.
Arora asserted that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily come to drug de-addiction centres as police have been told not to go to the centres to conduct any inquiry.
“Police, too, need to change their conduct so that the residents are not afraid in informing them about drug peddlers,” he said.
Sharing his own experience, Arora said when he joined the department 36 years back, he used to take the help of local gurdwaras and panchayats to bring back petty criminals to mainstream.
“Now, again we can use religion to save the youth. Addicts should be brought in front of their family or community members to urge them to give up drugs. The government is also opening skill development centres for addicts,” he said.
The DGP alsofelicitated police officials who have helped addicts give up drugs. Two former addicts from nearby villages also shared their experiences and thanked the cops who helped them.
DGP Suresh Arora said all police officials should undergo dope test. However, he rejected strict action against those who test positive. “Police personnel should also be given a chance to come out of the menace like other people. They, too, are human beings,” said Arora.
The top cop, however, maintained that action has been taken against police officials found embroiled in drug racket.
“Around 200 cops have been dismissed or forcibly retired in the past three years,” he said.
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