Sharing concern over the growing menace of Narcotic Drugs, India and Bangladesh today held the 3rd Director General level talks in New Delhi. Speaking to the reporters, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India, Mr. Ajay Chadha said both the sides decided to have real time exchange of information about gangs who are operating illegaly on the either sides of the border and enhance cooperation by organizing training programmes as well as sending resource persons in combating drug trafficking.

Director General, Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), Bangladesh Mr. Mohammad Iqbal, echoed the same concern and said that they would continue to cooperate through effective and sustained steps to control drug trafficking menace in both the countries.

The next meeting will be held in Dhaka preferably during June, 2013.

The Supreme Court has ruled that suspects in drug and narcotics smuggling cases have the right to insist on the presence of a gazetted officer or nearest magistrate when they are frisked for contraband(

वर्जित व्यापार

) to ensure transparency in investigation.

Interpreting Section 50 of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), a bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said failure to follow the procedure would cause a definite prejudice to the accused.

Justice Desai, who wrote the judgement.
said that a suspect may insist on the presence of a gazetted officer or a magistrate so as to introduce transparency in the search. The apex court gave the ruling while acquitting three persons convicted and sentenced to six months Rigorous Imprisionment by a sessions court in Andhra Pradesh for sale of ganja. They were arrested by a police team who claimed that they had seized ganja from the possession.

The Andhra Prad

The Centre is planning to increase the financial assistance for NGOs and other organisations to tackle the menace of drug trafficking. Addressing a function on the International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in New Delhi today, minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr Mukul Wasnik also stressed the need to create awreness among the youth about the twin evils of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Mr Wasnik said that his ministry will organise a painting competition across the country in November this year to senstize people, especially the youth, about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Speaking on the ocassion Union Sports minister Ajay Maken has sought cooperation of other states to eliminate the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is being observed today across the globe to raise awareness about the dangers and problems that illicit drugs pose to the society. The theme of the day this year is - Global Action for the Health Communities Without Drugs. 


In his message, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki Moon said, efforts to promote development and fight drugs and crime will be more effective if they are rooted in partnerships with the young, civil society, governments and the international community. To mark the day, various events are being held across the globe to create awareness about the drastic effects of drugs.


In Mumbai, a week-long awareness drive to educate people about ill-effects of drug abuse and addiction is being held. Street plays, distribution of pamphlets, poster presentation, one to one information exchange and counselling sessions are part of the awareness drive.

The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik has emphasized the need to create awareness among masses to prevent drug abuse and illicit trafficking in young generation. Participating in the Public Speak programme of All India Radio, the Minister said, security agencies like Border Security Force, CRPF and state police forces are also being involved to check this menace which is largely prevalent in the young generation.

Mr. Wasnik also stated that the government is taking all steps to prevent illegal trade in drugs from international markets and across the border.

A Pakistani court today issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Pakistan Peoples Party prime
ministerial candidate Makhdoom Shahabuddin in connection with alleged irregularities in the import of a large amount of the controlled drug Ephedrine during his tenure as Health Minister. 

Uruguay has announced plans to allow state-controlled sales of marijuana(Cannabis plant) to fight a rise in drug-related crime. Under the proposed legislation, only the government will be allowed to sell marijuana to adults registered on a database. Defence Minister Eleuterio Fernandez Huidobro said this was part of a plan to remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs. He said that the recent increase in murder rates was a clear symptom of a rise in drug trafficking crimes.

India today asserted that the maritime freedom cannot be exclusive prerogative of a few. It said, passage at sea should be preserved to ensure access for all. Speaking at the annual Security Forum meet in Singapore, the Defence Minister Mr.A.K. Antony said, in an era of globalisation(harmonies) and interdependence, the balance between the rights of States and the freedoms of the larger global community is vital for international trade and global security.  Morganton said this at the conference where the developments in the South China Sea were in sharp focus. He reiterated that India has always championed and advocated adherence to the international regime which governs maritime freedoms, even while asserting its national sovereignty where it is applicable. Speaking on Indian perspective on Protecting Maritime Freedoms, Mr. Antony said, maritime security issues have become a strategic priority for India, especially from the aspect of trade, commerce, hydrocarbon resources, terrorism, piracy and drug trafficking.  Our correspondent reports, the South China Sea is vital with about 90 per cent of the global trade moving by sea through the teeming shipping lanes in the Indian ocean and Strait of Malacca. His reference to buildup in the South China Sea region came as the US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta announced at the conference that Washington is moving the majority of its warships into Asia-Pacific region in the coming years. The Defence Minister referred to China by name as he, expressed concern over hike in its defence spending, but said New Delhi did not perceive Beijing as a threat. Favouring a stable and continuous relations with the neighbour, Mr. Antony said that the two countries had started a military-to-military cooperation. The Defence Minister said, even though India does not believe in an arms race, it is strengthening capabilities on borders to protect its national interest. Like India, Japan also expressed concern over lack of transparency in China's massive defence spending, saying this secrecy posed a threat. China's military budget jumped over 11 per cent this year to a staggering 106 billion US Dollars. Mr. Antony also urged China and member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss and settle South China Sea disputes involving some islands among themselves.  India, he said, welcomed the efforts of the parties concerned in engaging in discussions and the recently agreed guidelines on the implementation of the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties between China and ASEAN.

wo Pakistan and an Indian smuggler were killed in an encounter with Border Security Force in Amritsar late last night. Ten kilograms of Heroin and a Pistol were also recovered from their possession.

The value of the seized narcotics is about 50 Crore rupees in the international market. BSF spotted movement of some persons in new Sundergarh area on the border with Pakistan. On being challenged, the smugglers fired on the naka party.

In retaliatory fire in self defence, the BSF personnel killed two Pakistanis and an Indian smuggler on the spot.

However, some others managed to flee towards Pakistan territory taking advantage of undulating ground and darkness.

AIR Correspondent reports that this is the second such attempt by Pakistani smugglers in last fortnight to smuggle narcotics into the Indian territory.