Leh, Aug 23: A joint enforcement drive by the COTPA Enforcement Squad and Ladakh Police has unearthed multiple violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in the bustling Leh market. The coordinated operation, carried out under the supervision of the Station House Officer of Police Station Leh, led to the imposition of penalties against several traders for indulging in the unlawful sale of prohibited tobacco products.
During the inspection, officers discovered retailers openly flouting the statutory provisions of the Act. Offenders were immediately booked, with challans amounting to ₹5,200 issued under the relevant penal sections. Authorities underscored that the monetary fine was accompanied by a strict caution, warning traders that recurring breaches would invite escalated punitive measures. Such measures, officials clarified, could extend to sealing premises and ordering closure of establishments in accordance with the law.
Police sources revealed that the operation was not a routine exercise but part of a larger strategy to enforce tobacco-control legislation with zero tolerance. The Health Department, in coordination with the Ladakh Administration, has intensified surveillance to dismantle networks involved in the illicit trade of tobacco products. Officers present during the drive reiterated that the menace of tobacco consumption is a public health hazard and must be curbed through stringent enforcement.
The inspection also served as a deterrent message to the wider business community in Leh. Traders have been put on notice that indulgence in the illegal sale of tobacco will attract legal consequences, ranging from prosecution to commercial restrictions under statutory authority.
By invoking the provisions of COTPA, the administration aims to strengthen its crackdown mechanism and establish a culture of compliance in commercial hubs. The enforcement agencies further emphasized that public cooperation remains essential in identifying and reporting violators to ensure collective action against the unlawful trade.
