Tanveer Hussain
Budgam, October 15: A Thana Diwas programme was held on Thursday at Sitharan village in the Khag area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, with SSP Budgam Hariprasad K.K. attending the event. On the occasion, local residents apprised police officials of various issues and public grievances affecting the area.
The primary objective of the programme was to strengthen coordination between the police and the public, listen to the concerns of local residents, and take necessary measures to address their grievances. Discussions were held on drug abuse, policing, public grievances, civic administration, and other local issues.
Addressing the gathering, SSP Budgam said that over the past few months, the police had adopted a public-participation-based approach to organising Thana Diwas programmes. Under this initiative, police officers visit villages and interact directly with residents, providing them with an opportunity to raise their concerns and grievances.
He said that public interaction programmes are organised in community halls and other suitable locations in villages, where people’s complaints are heard and necessary steps are taken to address them.
The SSP said the initiative had received an encouraging response from the public, with residents raising issues related not only to the police but also to the civic administration through these programmes.
He added that complaints related to the police that can be resolved on the spot are addressed immediately, while matters concerning other departments are recorded and forwarded to the concerned authorities for necessary action.
SSP Urges Public to Report Drug-Related Activities, Assures Confidentiality
Expressing concern over the growing problem of drug abuse, SSP Budgam appealed to local residents to immediately inform the police about any suspicious drug-related activities in their respective areas.
Referring to cases registered under the NDPS Act, he mentioned Rasidana village and said that joint efforts by the police and the public were essential to prevent the spread of drugs.
He stated that only a few cases had been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Police Station Khag. However, he emphasised that public cooperation was crucial for effective action against drug-related activities.
The SSP said that people could share information about drug-related activities through the designated helpline of the District Police Control Room Budgam or by directly contacting the SSP, SDPO, or the concerned Station House Officer (SHO).
He assured the public that the identities of individuals reporting drug-related activities would be kept confidential. He urged people not to hesitate to cooperate with the police in the fight against drugs due to fears of exposure or social stigma.
The SSP also emphasised that individuals struggling with drug addiction should be treated with compassion and understanding rather than hatred or discrimination. He encouraged people to motivate them to seek appropriate treatment and assistance.
Counselling and Medical Facilities Available for People Affected by Drug Addiction
SSP Budgam also provided information about the counselling and medical facilities available for individuals affected by drug addiction.
He said that such individuals could be referred to the District Addiction Centre established at the district headquarters in Budgam for appropriate treatment and support. In addition, a separate Outpatient Department (OPD) facility is available at the District Police Lines Budgam, where counselling services are provided.
He further said that SHOs, SDPOs, and officers posted at police posts had been trained to deal with matters related to drug addiction. The training includes appropriate communication with affected individuals, identification of medical issues, and procedures for referring them to relevant medical and support services.
He urged the public to cooperate with the police in the campaign against drugs and play an active role in ensuring that individuals affected by addiction receive timely medical assistance.
Tosamaidan Access, Development and Employment Issues Also Discussed
During the Thana Diwas programme, local residents also raised various issues concerning access to Tosamaidan, development in the area, and employment opportunities before SSP Budgam.
One of the major concerns raised by the local population was access to Tosamaidan for local residents. In this regard, the SSP assured them that appropriate measures would be considered regarding permission for local residents to enter Tosamaidan.
The issue holds particular importance for the local population, as their daily activities and various sources of livelihood are linked to Tosamaidan.
The SSP said that feedback received from officers at the district level had also been taken into consideration while discussing the issues raised by the public. He stressed the need to explore suitable arrangements to improve the livelihood opportunities of local residents.
DSP Magam Mohammad Ashraf Lasri and SHO Khag Mudasir Ahmad were also present on the occasion. Both officers listened to the concerns and grievances raised by the local residents.
At the conclusion of the programme, emphasis was laid on improving coordination between the police and the public, ensuring timely redressal of public grievances, and promoting joint efforts to address drug abuse and other social issues.
