Srinagar, May 15 (KNS): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah on Wednesday directed all SHOs Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars to act tough against those involved in poppy cultivation.

The DC has issued an order in this, which reads, whereas it has been noticed that some unscrupulous elements are engaged in illegal cultivation of poppy plants on property land and/or common land within the territorial jurisdiction of Pulwama district;

Whereas this practice has given rise to production of fukki, opium and its derivatives which are then sold illegally;
Whereas this practice has resulted in diverse problems in the society including addiction among gullible youngsters who fail prey !o such unscrupulous elements;

Whereas the practice is an offence under Section 18 of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and under Section -55 read with section 35-A of the J&K Excise Act 195K.
Whereas engaging in production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, warehousing, concealment, use or consumption, import interstate, export interstate of such narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances illegal under law.

Whereas poppy cultivation also invariably results in breach of peace and tranquillity in the area due to consumption of poppy plant derivatives by unscrupulous elements;

Now, therefore, I Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS District Magistrate Pulwama by the powers vested in me hereby direct: -

i) All SHO's to take immediate action against offenders under The NDPS Act,1985

ii) All Tehsildars/Naib Tehsildars within their respective jurisdictions to submit Asami wise details of cultivators a lime with the quantum of land under poppy cultivation (within one week of this order without hill).

iii) All Tehsiklars/Naib Tebsildars to submit Names of Major cultivators of poppy within their jurisdiction (within one week of this order without fail for strict penal action against them.

iv) All Executive Magistrates/ SHO’s to take immediate action under Sections 107 & 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Svt 14X9 by way of immediate arrest of all such individuals found to be guilty of puppy cultivation on the proprietary land and or common land and the resultant breach of peace.

The details of such arrests Tehsil/Police Station wise shall reach the undersignes every day at 4:30 P.M. sharp.
Any dereliction of this order shall further attract penal action under Section 188 of The Ranbir Penal Code Svt 1989. Given under my hand and seal on this the 5th day of May 2019. (KNS)