Budgam: Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam Hariprasad K K on Thursday issued a public advisory directing residents to voluntarily destroy poppy plants growing in private fields, orchards, or adjoining areas within 24 hours.
The SSP said that illegal cultivation or possession of poppy is a punishable offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and warned that strict legal action will be initiated against violators after the stipulated period.
He appealed to the public to comply with the directive and assist authorities in curbing unlawful cultivation linked to narcotics.
Hariprasad also urged religious leaders, including mosque imams, to disseminate the message among people and encourage compliance as part of efforts to build a drug-free society.
Budgam Police reiterated its commitment to tackling drug abuse and illegal cultivation, stating that enforcement measures will be intensified across the district.
People have been advised to report any instances of illegal poppy cultivation to the nearest police station. KNT]
