Governor Manoj Sinha leads march in Lal Chowk for drug free Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Thousands of people Sunday marched in Lal Chowk as part of a major campaign against drug abuse and narco-terrorism led by Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha. After covering nearly 2 km, participants, including school students, assembled at the Tourist Reception Centre Ground, where Sinha addressed the gathering.

“In the war against drug abuse and narco-terrorism, every step matters. Every effort counts. Every contribution brings victory closer. Together, let us envision a Jammu Kashmir where no child is lost to drugs, no family is broken by addiction, no community suffers under traffickers, and every citizen thrives in health and strength," Sinha said.

He said active participation of the people is an unshakable force capable of defeating the enemies’ assault through narco-terrorism. “Drug traffickers and their networks have targeted our youth. We have taken a solemn oath that we will never allow them to succeed,” Sinha said.

Sinha on April 11 launched a 100-day intensive drive under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan to make Jammu and Kashmir “drug-free”. The campaign has involved large-scale awareness programmes by the civil administration and police, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers and intensified crackdowns on drug networks. Awareness drives have also been carried out in schools and government institutions.

“Between April 11 and May 2, the Jammu and Kashmir divisions together recorded 481 FIRs in just 21 days. During this period, 518 drug smugglers and peddlers were sent to jail, while 24 houses, which were proceeds of crime, were demolished and property worth crores was seized. Kashmir alone accounted for 26 of these attachments. In addition, authorities have recommended the cancellation of more than 300 driving licences,” Sinha said.

He said across the region, cancellation of 325 vehicle registrations has been recommended. “Nearly 3,000 drug stores were inspected, leading to 107 license suspensions and one FIR. These figures highlight how police and civil administration, backed by public cooperation, are enforcing a strict “Zero Tolerance to Drugs” policy aimed at dismantling the supply chain completely,” Sinha added.

“Our agencies, our administration, and our people stand united to dismantle every smuggling ring and peddler operation. We are tracking the financial trails of drug cartels. Every link will be broken, every mechanism destroyed,” he added.

Sinha said “our neighbouring country, known as the world’s foremost incubator of terrorism is pushing drugs to harm our youth and sponsor terrorism.” He said drug money fuels terrorism and radicalization. He also said that this mission advances on three fronts- dismantling supply chains, spreading awareness at the grassroots, and rehabilitating addicts with dignity and care.

“It is a grave threat to internal security. Both terrorists and drug traffickers seek to fracture unity, corrode integrity, and destroy peace, while draining the strength of our youth to strike at Jammu Kashmir's future. We have adopted a 360-degree approach for cracking down on drug peddlers, rehabilitating addicts, training police, raising awareness, and mobilizing grassroots participation,” Sinha added.

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