Desperate Youths in J&K Turn to Drug Trafficking Amidst Tourism Industry Collapse

Strategic Insights -

The near-total destruction of the tourism industry in insurgency-hit Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has led to a devastating outcome for many poor Kashmiri youths, who are increasingly turning to desperate measures to make a living. As the once-thriving tourism industry, which was a major source of employment for locals, has been severely impacted by the ongoing insurgency, many youths have found themselves at the mercy of drug suppliers, who are luring them with promises of easy money. The numbers are stark, with over 20 Kashmiri youths arrested in the city last year alone by the narcotics control bureau (NCB) for their role in drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • More than 20 Kashmiri youths were arrested in the city last year alone by the NCB, ANC, and local police for their involvement in drug trafficking, a significant spike compared to previous years.
  • The majority of those arrested (in the 18-35 age group) hail from poor families and belong to districts that were once popular tourist destinations in J&K but have been severely impacted by insurgency.
  • Desperate youths are either joining terrorist groups or turning to drug trafficking as a means of earning a living, with many being lured by suppliers with promises of easy money and incentives such as a trip to Mumbai.
  • In one recent arrest, five youths were caught carrying hashish worth Rs35 lakh (approximately $43,000 USD), with two of them being from Kashmir who had driven all the way from the state with the contraband concealed in their vehicle.
  • The mastermind behind the operation was a gang operating from Kashmir, with several youths being employed to drive down to Mumbai and other destinations across the country.
  • A probe into the November arrest of two Kashmiri youths revealed that they were just carriers, with the mastermind operating from outside the state.

Statistics:

  • 20+ Kashmiri youths arrested in the city last year alone by the NCB for their role in drug trafficking.
  • Rs35 lakh (approximately $43,000 USD) worth of hashish seized from five youths caught carrying the contraband.
  • 68 kg consignment of hashish seized from two Kashmiri youths in November.
  • Rs3,000 per kilogram of hashish paid to two youths who were arrested by the NCB.

Sources:

  • Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
  • DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
  • Yashodhan Wanage, zonal director, NCB, Maharashtra & Goa.
  • Anti-terrorism squad officials.