Pushkar gaining notoriety as drug haven

Jaipur – Pushkar in Rajasthan, famous internationally for its annual cattle fair and handicraft items, is gaining notoriety as a haven for drug peddlers.

With a big influx of tourists visiting Pushkar every year from across the country and the world, the local police claim that they have also registered the highest number of narcotics–related cases in the state.

The cases booked under NDPS (the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act), Act has shot up to 50.

According to local shopkeepers, the increase in the number of foreign tourists to Pushkar is the root cause of drug trafficking. Unemployment among the youth has also contributed to the drug trade, with youngsters acting as carriers and peddlers.

"The drug trafficking has increased here due to heavy influx of foreign tourists. People from Pakistan also come here many of them carrying drugs to sell. Tourists come here to enjoy and they usually look for these drugs," ANI quoted Hemant Kumar Kharti, a local shopkeeper, as saying.

Offering drugs like opium, smack or heroin or other narcotics to foreigners has become a regular feature of Pushkar. And this is why many foreigners who are not even aware of this smuggling, feel shocked the minute any drug peddler approaches them to sell.

"A stranger came and asked me if I wanted anything. We did not understand what he was saying but then he said: do you want Hashish...he offered us drugs. We said no thank you, we just left the place," said Lean, a foreign tourist.

"We just came to the hotel and one guy offered us smack. We said no thanks, I think he was used to all that as this place is the major hub for the people to smoke and taking drugs. As a precautionary, measure, we read it in a book that beware of any possibility of being asked for drugs," said Jessie, another foreign tourist.

During the last ten years, the local police have booked more than 50 cases in NDPS Act, which is highest number in whole Rajasthan.

But it has not been as successful as mostly the matter involves a foreigner who manages to run away taking advantage of international norms.

According to the local police though, they do take stringent steps to curb such activities. "This is not a new thing here as demand has increased to the consumption. The drug trafficking has increased over the last 10 years. We take necessary actions against the people involved in the trade, both–locals or foreigners involved. We are strengthening our team so that we can stop such activities in this holy city," said P.S. Nyola, Additional Superintendent of Police, Ajmer.

But many locals say that drugs are brought from foreigners and handed over to local agents who smuggle it in retail market. (ANI)