category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Apprising Union Home Minister Amit Shah about steps being taken by the state in war against drugs, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday batted for more stringent provisions in existing laws to check the scourge. Taking part in virtual meeting on Drug Trafficking and National Security chaired by the Home Minister, Mann apprised him that Punjab is the first state to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) and its police station to effectively implement laws against drug trafficking, apprehending drug traffickers, and disrupting the supply chain. He said the state has adopted a three-pronged strategy of enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention against the drug menace. He said the strategy comprises enforcement of laws against drug trafficking, de-addiction of victims of drug abuse, and prevention through protection of vulnerable sections, students, youth, and the public. The Chief Minister said that a specialised anti-narcotic cell has been constituted in each district and special designated courts have been set in each district for speedy trial of the NDPS Act cases. Likewise, he said, a forensic science laboratory has been set up in Mohali and three regional labs in Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Amritsar. Mann said the state has allotted land to the Narcotics Control Bureau in Amritsar issued for the construction of its regional office and dedicated narco forensic science laboratory. The Chief Minister demanded that registration of drones should be made compulsory as it is a matter of grave concern that drones are now being used for cross-border delivery of weapons, drugs and explosives. He said that drug smuggling in Punjab is taking across the border Pakistan, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Jammu Kashmir. He demanded that registration of drones should be made compulsory as it is a matter of grave concern that drones are now being used for cross border delivery of Weapons Heroin Explosives. Bhagwant Mann said that Police has been very vigilant to check supply of drugs to drones and since 2019, a total 491 drone sightings have been observed and 51 drones have been neutralized recovered. Giving suggestions for far more effective control over the drug menace, the Chief Minister advocated that anti drone technology Jammers be installed on the entire international border of Punjab with Pakistan so that smuggling of drugs and weapons be stopped. Likewise, he said that a state-of-the-art Regional Drone Forensic Lab may be set up in Punjab preferably at Amritsar so that the origin, destination and route maps of the drones may be traced out. Bhagwant Mann also sought access to Custom Database so that suspected containers coming from other countries may be scrutinized from drug smuggling point of view. He also batted for reduction of commercial quantity of heroin from existing 250 grams to 25 grams to check peddling at intermediate level. He further said that substantive rank Head Constable should be empowered to exercise the power and perform the duties specified in respect of cases falling within the definition of Small Quantity and section 27 of Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act. He said that this will increase the number of Investigating Officers and decrease pendency of under Investigation cases adding that present property confiscation limit of 6 years should be removed by amending section 68-C(2) of NDPS act. (editor dailyworld.in)