Jammu:
An investigation by the Jammu and Kashmir police has revealed that school-going children in Jammu have become the target of an interstate drug mafia.
"Initially the drug is gifted to these children but when these kids get addicted to these intoxicants, the drug suppliers charge a huge sum from these kids," a senior police officer told PTI.
He said the drug dealers, target children from well-to-do families as these kids can spend huge sum on the contraband.
"When the kids from these well-to-do families get addicted to these drugs, these dealers charge something from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 for each gram of drug they sell to these kids," the officer said.
Police came to know about the penetration of the interstate drug racket in Jammu region after a girl identified as Divya Manhas died due to overdose of drugs.
Even as the police claimed to have arrested the three accused involved in the death of Divya and supply of drugs to youth in Jammu region, it is still enquiring about the involvement of others in the drug racket in Jammu.
"Police arrested Vikram Singh and Rubail Sharma, residents of Jammu who were supplying drugs to Divya. One Yashjeet alias Kalia, resident of Himachal Pradesh, who is the kingpin of the interstate drug racket was also arrested in connection with the death of Divya," SSP, Crime, Mubassir Latifi said.
He said that Divya Manhas a resident of Channi area was found in unconscious condition outside her house. "She was shifted to hospital where she was declared brought dead," he said.
During the course of investigation it was found that two drug peddlers Vikram Singh and Rubail Sharma used to provide heroin to Divya, he said.
"On the fateful day both of them in order to cause her death injected a heavy dose of heroin to her in Talab Tillo area," he said.
The SSP also disclosed that one Yashjit alias Kalia was found to be the supplier of drugs to Singh and Sharma.
"These two used to allure and provide intoxicative drugs to the youth of Jammu city, especially school-going children," he said.
He said that the crime branch took over the investigation of the case from the police and has filed a charge-sheet against the accused, who were found involved in acts of sale, purchase, transport and possession of heroin, under various sections of NDPS Act in the court of Principal and Sessions Judge, Jammu.
"In order to unearth the entire interstate drug racket the investigation is still on," Mr Latifi said.
He appealed to the general public, especially parents and teachers to keep a close watch on their children as any abnormal or suspicious behavior of their wards may be an indication of drug addiction.