26% of IIOJK prisoners held under NDPS Act amid Indian occupation
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a staggering 26% of prison inmates are detained under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with the trend partly attributed to the impact of India’s occupation policies, including nocturnal raids and crackdowns, and deliberate attempts to divert Kashmiri youth from their struggle for self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, recent data from the IIOJK Prison Department revealed that as of October 31, 2024, 1,413 individuals out of 5,335 inmates were incarcerated on drug-related charges. These included 23 convicts, 1,242 under-trials, and 148 detenues. Among the under-trials, 28 are women, and the highest proportion of cases involve youth aged 19-35, signaling an alarming trend among the younger population.
The data also highlighted that 40 of the detenues are aged 19-25, with other cases spanning older demographics, underscoring the broad impact of drug-related offenses in the region. Experts call for urgent measures to address addiction’s root causes, enhance rehabilitation efforts, and curb the narcotics trade, viewing the crisis as both a social and legal emergency demanding immediate attention.
