Decisive Action Taken After Attack on Officers, Amidst Controversy Over Alleged Community Links; LG, DGP Mandates Zero Tolerance
In a significant crackdown, Jammu and Kashmir Police demolished the illegally constructed residence of alleged drug kingpin Lau Gujjar, described as a ‘most wanted’ figure in the Jammu narcotics trade.
The demolition follows a high-level directive from the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and Director General of Police (DGP) for zero tolerance against the drug mafia and comes after a recent, brazen attack on police personnel by suspected drug traffickers.
Supervised by senior officers including SSP Jammu, SP Headquarter, and the local DSP and SHO Bishnah, Civil Administration, the operation signals an intensified, no-mercy approach towards dismantling drug networks.
This action occurs amidst a charged atmosphere following controversial remarks by former Minister Chandra Prakash Ganga linking specific groups to the drug trade, which drew both criticism and support from different sections.
jj correspondent
Jammu, April 16, 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir Police today executed a major operation, described as a ‘surgical strike’, against the entrenched drug mafia in the region, culminating in the demolition of a residential structure belonging to the notorious and absconding alleged drug lord, Lau Gujjar. This decisive move, carried out under heavy police presence in the Sarore area, signifies a newly hardened stance by law enforcement against narcotics trafficking, which officials state is destroying countless young lives. The demolished house, authorities assert, was built using the illicit proceeds (‘pap ki kamai’) derived directly from the suffering and deaths caused by the ‘Chitta’ (Heroin) trade allegedly masterminded by Lau Gujjar.
This robust police action, follows closely on the heels of a brazen attack last week where police officers, including Sub-Inspector Pushpinder Singh and constables, were assaulted by suspected drug peddlers during a raid. That incident had raised serious questions about the audacity and impunity enjoyed by these criminal elements and served as a catalyst, strengthening the resolve within the police force to strike back decisively. Lau Gujjar himself has been evading arrest for months, making the dismantling of his operational base a priority.
The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Headquarter, the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and the Station House Officer (SHO) Bishnah, with full support from the civil administration. This coordinated effort stemmed from clear instructions issued by the LG and Director General of Police (DGP) of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following a high-level meeting. The DGP mandated a policy of absolute zero tolerance, directing personnel to eliminate the drug menace without showing any mercy or favouritism towards anyone involved.
The crackdown unfolds against a backdrop of socio-political debate. Recently, former Minister and Vijaypur legislator, Chandra Prakash Ganga, made pointed statements alleging the involvement of specific elements within the Pahari Gujjar community in the widespread ‘Chitta’ trade plaguing the area. He stated that local Gujjars were themselves troubled and complained about these individuals. His remarks, however, ignited controversy, drawing criticism from various social organizations and political figures like MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary (Budhal) and Talib Hussain (previously implicated in a rape case), who were accused of attempting to deflect the issue by giving it a religious or communal colour. Significantly, some local Gujjar community members publicly sided with Ganga, holding a press conference to clarify that the action targeted criminals, not the community, whose image was being tarnished by these illicit activities.
Police efforts have been ongoing. Raids were recently conducted in Balol Khadd, another suspected hotspot, where male suspects were absent, though women and children were present. Just yesterday evening, police arrested Shamima Bibi, a resident of Balol Khadd, caught allegedly selling ‘Chitta’ after attempting to flee upon spotting senior officers. Yet, concerns persist about the efficacy of the legal process, with whispers in the community questioning how seized narcotics sometimes allegedly test as ‘normal powder’ in forensic labs, leading to suspects securing bail and becoming further emboldened. This perceived cycle of arrest and release has been criticized for undermining deterrence.
Today’s demolition, utilizing JCB machines and tractors under the watchful eyes of numerous police personnel, including women officers, serves as a potent visual message. Officials hope this action will bolster public confidence, encouraging citizens to come forward with information about drug operations in areas like Qasim Nagar and Rajiv Nagar, also identified as hotspots. Former Minister Ganga had previously claimed, starkly, that the drug epidemic was claiming the lives of roughly twenty young people per month in the vicinity, justifying harsh measures against traffickers.
The administration, reportedly acting under directives from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, appears determined to press ahead, irrespective of political affiliations or attempts to shield offenders under communal pretexts. The question now being asked is whether political parties like the National Conference, particularly Omar Abdullah, will take action against their own legislators accused of defending individuals involved in the drug trade, drawing parallels to past instances where politicians faced consequences for perceived support of accused individuals. Today’s decisive action against the alleged kingpin Lau Gujjar sends an unambiguous signal that the authorities are intensifying their war on drugs in Jammu.
