Jammu, Aug 5 (IANS) A policeman was dismissed from service because of his involvement in narcotics smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, police said.
A police statement said on Tuesday that in a strict action reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy against drugs, Kathua Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Mohita Sharma, dismissed Selection Grade Constable, Aftab Ahmed, a resident of Reasi district from service for his involvement in the narcotics case.
The statement added that the Constable’s dismissal follows a departmental enquiry linked to an FIR registered under various sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Billawar police station earlier this year.
The policeman was apprehended along with heroin during checking by a police party and was subsequently placed under suspension for grave misconduct and indiscipline with immediate effect on April 8.
“A departmental inquiry was also initiated and entrusted to Superintendent of Police, operations who furnished his report on July 27, confirming the charges against the accused and recommending his dismissal from service.”
“Acting under Rule 335 of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Rules, the Kathua SSP ordered his immediate dismissal in order to enforce strict institutional discipline and to serve as an exemplary deterrent to all ranks against any involvement in narcotics-related offences,” the police statement said.
In the past also some policemen have been terminated from service in the Union Territory for their involvement in drug smuggling.
In Udhampur district, a Constable was terminated from service following his arrest with contraband heroin under the NDPS Act.
Major administrative action under Article 311 Action (2024) includes termination of five police Constables by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for deep involvement in unlawful narcotics activities.
In 2022, five Special Police Officers (SPOs) were arrested in Kupwara and Baramulla districts last year as part of a 17-member cross-border drug smuggling ring operating near the Line of Control.
In Doda district, SPO Javed Ahmed was disengaged and arrested after being caught with illegal cannabis in 2023.
–IANS
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