Abandoned school buildings become hub of drug addicts in Pulwama

PULWAMA — Abandoned school buildings in Gudoora and Tral areas of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have become a hub of drug addicts with residents of these areas demanding the attention of higher-ups.

Locals from Gudoora, Pulwama told the news agency KNO that due to low roll, the middle school in Gudoora was merged with a high school, leaving the building of the middle school vacant. They said that this building continued to be used for ill activities by some people as the School Education department has failed to provide any watch and ward to the building.

“In the premises of the buildings, one can find empty bottles of codeine (the most abused prescription drug) and empty strips of drugs used by the addicts, who come in the evening hours mostly and involve in drug abuse in this abandoned school,” the residents said.

The school building is now in complete shambles with broken windows and doors which apparently looks like a ghost house.

Locals said that there is a health center in the area where there is very little space and the government must shift the health center to the abandoned building.

Similarly, a primary school in Takia Razakh Shah was clubbed, leaving the building of the school vacant, which according to locals is also being misused.

Locals said that it has become a hub of drug addicts and stray dogs due to which locals are suffering. “We have brought this issue to the notice of concerned authorities several times but to no avail,” locals said.

Locals from both Gudoora and Takia Razakh Shah requested higher-ups to look into the matter at the earliest so that necessary steps can be taken in this regard.

Meanwhile, an official said that they have already taken up this issue with higher-ups and they expect a decision on it soon.

Despite repeated attempts, CEO Pulwama wasn’t available to comment on the issue.