Sopore is the hub of narcotics: IGP Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar on Monday said the narcotics were destroying youth and urged parents and society to step up vigil on their wards to prevent them falling prey to it.

Addressing the reporters along with the DGP Dilbagb Singh and GoC of Army’s Kilo Force, H S Sahi, Kumar also asked facilitators of militants not to provide shelter to them.

“In the backdrop of the last night’s gunfight, there were two major attacks in which three policemen were killed and two councillors were among four civilians killed,” he said, adding, “SP had issued poster for reward after which lot of information was received about the movement of militants. It is true that police pinpoint the militants but there was a lot of public support. I thank people for helping to get this killer killed.”

Second aspect of the encounter, he said, was the militants were in the house of Naseer Lone, the former slain militant who, he said, had killed six CRPF men in Handwara. “I want to tell the families of the militants not to give shelter to militants and then you say police are committing atrocities, questioning etc.”

Third aspect, the top police officer of Kashmir said, was that narco-militancy is “destroying youth”.

“Sopore is a hub. SSP Baramulla busted a narco-militant module recently. Earlier, it was done in Kupwara,” he said, adding, “I want to appeal to parents to keep a watch on their children and keep parental control. Police’s role comes when they commit crime but parents, society, and neighbours need to keep a watch.”