RAHUL MAHAJAN was booked under Section 27 of Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for possessing drugs. This provision is seldom used in Bhopal.
Although peddlers are often arrested, drug-addicts are rarely booked and police allegedly turn a Nelson’s eye towards them. This despite the fact that drug-addicts not only commit crimes but also spread their network and keep bringing more persons into their fold.
Main suppliers are hardly arrested and for a long time the Capital has not witnessed any major haul of brown sugar or smack, which are seized in smaller quantities (few grams).
However, police have prepared a list of around 400 habitual drug-addicts in New Bhopal alone. These are people who cannot live off brown sugar and take narcotics more than four times a day. Habitual drug-addicts are concentrated in Arjun Nagar and near Bharat Talkies in Old Bhopal.
“Lack of effective action against main suppliers and the soft attitude towards drug-addicts has resulted in the growth of the drug menace,” says a Station Officer. “It is the drug-addicts who commit thefts, robberies and snatchings,” he adds.
The officer agrees that action is generally taken under Section 109 meant for miscreants rather than for possessing the drug.
SP Anant Kumar Singh agrees drug-addicts have been booked less compared to drug peddlers, who are frequently arrested. Singh said police have planned a crackdown on drug-addicts in the Capital in view of the enormity of the problem.
SP Anant Kumar Singh agrees drug-addicts have been booked less compared to drug peddlers, who are frequently arrested. Singh said police have planned a crackdown on drug-addicts in the Capital in view of the enormity of the problem.