Jammu and Kashmir Police have apprehended a notorious criminal under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Kathua district, while simultaneously arresting five individuals involved in drug peddling across various districts of the Jammu division within a 24-hour period. The operations underscore a sustained effort by law enforcement to maintain public order and combat illicit activities in the region.
The individual detained under the PSA has been identified as Davinder Kumar, a resident of Drallan village in Nagri Tehsil. His detention was ordered on Saturday following his repeated involvement in criminal activities that have reportedly instilled fear and insecurity among the populace. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Kumar is a habitual offender with a history of criminal engagements spanning several years. Authorities prepared a dossier detailing his alleged transgressions, which was subsequently submitted to the Kathua district magistrate. The magistrate, after reviewing the dossier, issued the order for Kumar’s detention under the PSA, a law that allows for preventive detention of individuals deemed a threat to public order and security. He has been lodged in the Central Jail Kot Bhalwal in Jammu.
According to a police spokesman, Kumar has been implicated in at least three cases registered at the Kathua police station in the recent past. These cases include two instances of attempt to murder, highlighting the severity of his alleged criminal conduct. The police have stated that his actions have consistently disrupted peace and created a sense of unease within the community, necessitating his detention to prevent further harm.
In parallel operations targeting the drug trade, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested five individuals suspected of being involved in narcotic smuggling and peddling. In Kathua district alone, two narcotic smugglers, identified as Sharat Singh and Mohd Makhan, were apprehended during routine checking at Ghatti and Lakhanpur. The police recovered six grams of heroin from Singh and seven grams of heroin from Makhan. These seizures are part of ongoing efforts to curb the flow of illegal substances into the region.
Further contributing to the drug bust in Kathua, Naresh Kumar, a resident of Chhattisgarh, was arrested at Hiranagar. He was found in possession of 381 grams of Ganja during a frisking operation. Police sources indicate that Kumar was en route to his rented accommodation in Kootah Morh at the time of his apprehension. The recovery of a significant quantity of Ganja points to his alleged involvement in the distribution of narcotics.
The police also extended their operations to other districts within the Jammu division, leading to the arrest of two more drug peddlers. Anshu Bhagat was arrested during checking at Badhyal Brahmana in the R S Pura area of Jammu district. Bhagat was found with 10 grams of heroin in his possession. Separately, Randhir Singh was apprehended in Baggar, located in the Assar area of Doda district. A search of Singh revealed 150 grams of Charas. All five individuals arrested for drug-related offenses have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at their respective police stations. Further investigations are underway to ascertain the full extent of their operations and potential networks.
The coordinated actions by the Jammu and Kashmir Police highlight a multi-pronged strategy to address both violent crime and the pervasive issue of drug trafficking. The detention of Davinder Kumar under the PSA signifies a strong stance against individuals with a history of serious criminal offenses, while the arrests of the five drug peddlers demonstrate a commitment to dismantling drug supply chains. These operations are expected to contribute to a safer environment for residents and disrupt criminal enterprises operating within the Jammu division.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.