This story is from July 9, 2018

Delhi Shahdara Jn railway station a hotbed for drug addicts

Delhi Shahdara Jn railway station a hotbed for drug addicts
Free movement of drug addicts at platform and railway station area has become a headache for daily commuters.
NEW DELHI: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) claim that they try their best to ensure the safety of railway properties and commuters. But, their claim falls apart when it comes to the Delhi Shahdara Junction railway station as it has become a hotbed for drug addicts posing a threat to commuters. They not only roam freely but some of them have made this station as their home.
Sunil Kumar, who is a drug addict, has been living at the railway station for last four years.
“I left my home four years ago after a quarrel with my family. Since then I have been living here only.” He further revealed that there are dozens of drug addicts, who are homeless and take shelter at the station.
Smack or the low-quality heroin, marijuana and home-made illicit liquor are the harmful intoxicants, which are easily available at the adjacent areas of the railway station. “People start smoking smack and drinking spurious alcohol since 4 o’clock in the morning. Let evening come, you will find hundreds of people who smoke and drink in groups, at railway line (some 100 metres away from the platform)”, Sunil told.
On being asked why the railway officials or the police don’t take any action against drug peddlers and bootleggers, Sunil said, “There is a nexus between drug peddlers and some policemen so they are running their business without fear.”
Savita Jain and her 38-year-old son have been living at the railway station area for last two years. She had been forcefully driven out of her home in Baraut after her husband’s death. On one hand, she is suffering from penury, on the other, her only son fell victim to drugs.
“I am a native of Baraut and have nothing for sustenance but my son, who works in marriage parties as a waiter. But, he has fallen victim to drug addiction. I have beaten him up and once I had thrown chilli powder in his eyes to pressurise him for quitting drugs,” said Savita Jain.

When the RPF and the GRP personnel were asked about the issue, they didn’t give any satisfactory reply and passed the buck to others. A GRP sub-inspector, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said, “Most of the drug-peddlers and bootleggers put up in the adjacent area Kasturba Nagar, which is not under our jurisdiction.”
Free movement of drug addicts at platform and railway station area has become a headache for daily commuters. They have to face stalking, jeering and snatching almost every second day.
“I commute between Shahdara and Ghaziabad regularly. When I return at around 8pm, sometimes their (drug addicts’) presence shivers down my spine,” said Kavita, who works as a receptionist at an automobile showroom in Ghaziabad.
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