Poonch, 11 December 2025: Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma (JKAS), today chaired a comprehensive meeting of the District Level Narco Coordination Committee (NCORD) to review the prevailing drug abuse situation and strengthen anti-drug measures across the district.
The meeting included a detailed assessment of the situation across subdivisions and tehsils, with SDMs and Tehsildars presenting reports on the prevalence of drug abuse, peddling activities, and the measures undertaken so far. Expressing concern over the rising misuse of narcotics, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for coordinated, intensified, and result-oriented action by all departments.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the forest department to immediately destroy any cannabis found in forest or non-forest areas. He also mandated installation of CCTV cameras in all chemist shops and computerization of sale records with GST billing to ensure transparency and curb illegal drug sale.
The Deputy Commissioner further instructed all departments involved in anti-narcotics activities to submit their reports to the Additional Deputy Commissioner for uploading on the designated portal, enabling centralized monitoring and timely intervention.
College principals briefed the meeting on the status of drug abuse awareness campaigns and preventive activities conducted in their institutions. The ARTO Poonch also presented details of challans and other enforcement actions related to drug abuse.
In a significant directive, the Deputy Commissioner asked heads of all educational institutions to verify shops operating around schools and colleges and initiate action to shut down any outlet found selling drug-related items.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Mohd. Sayeed, PO ICDS Naheem Un Nissa Bhatti, CMO Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Kahan, Principal GDC Poonch Dr. Jasbir Singh, Principal GDC Mendhar Dr. Mohd. Azam, Prof. Fateh Mohd. Abassi (GDC Mandi), CAO Jograj Singh Slathia, DSWO Khalil Ahmed Banday, ARTO Basharat Mehmood, Tehsildar Haveli Azhar Majid, Tehsildar Mandi Ashfaq Hussain, CEO Education Mukhtar Manhas, DySP HSR Neeraj Sharma, Medical Superintendent DH Poonch Dr. Shafiq Ahmed, and other officers. SDMs and Tehsildars from Mendhar, Mankote, Balakote, and Surankote joined the meeting virtually. Officers from the Drugs Control Department were also present.
