In order to keep a check on increasing drug trafficking and illegal sale of liquor in UP, the state govt will soon set up an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) here.
The task force will make use of modern investigation techniques to nab the wrongdoers and will also collaborate with deaddiction centres in the state to launch awareness campaigns for the youth.
Dedicated Narcotics Police Station to come up in UP
Reportedly, the formation of ANTF will be done in phases. In phase 1, Narcotics Police Stations will be established in two districts, Barabanki and Ghazipur, which would be headed by officers from central agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
With an aim to keep a strict vigil and ensure efficient results, ANTF has been granted powers related to search, seizure, arrest and investigation against criminals and mafia involved in drug or liquor smuggling. Furthermore, the task force will also be able to investigate by registering FIR against criminals in any police station within its jurisdiction.
Zone wise jurisdiction to increase task force efficiency
As per the official announcement, ANTF would be divided into three zones, Eastern, Western and Central. While the Eastern zone will monitor illegal drug-related activities in Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Varanasi, the Western zone will see Meerut, Bareilly, and Agra and the Central zone will focus on Lucknow and Kanpur.
In addition to keeping vigil over illegal trafficking, the task force will also oversee the implementation of rehabilitation, treatment of drug addicts, preventive education and awareness generation programmes.
