Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that during the 57 days of the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, over 1,130 smugglers have been arrested and 100 properties belonging to the peddlers have been attached. The 100-day-long anti-drug campaign was launched by the L-G on April 11.
“To change mindsets and dismantle supply chains, our campaign over the past 57 days has cracked down hard on the drug network in J&K. Over 1,130 smugglers were arrested under 1,038 FIRs, 63 detained under PIT-NDPS and more than 100 properties attached. To completely immobilise these criminals, we have also cancelled 700 driving licences and moved to revoke 130 passports,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The L-G on Sunday joined the ‘Drug-Free J&K’ campaign and foot march in Poonch. He said that the foot march has covered all 20 districts of the UT and the objective is clear to free J&K from the scourge of drugs and to eliminate narco-terrorism.
“The fight for a drug-free J&K intensifies today from Poonch. For next 43 days, every citizen, panchayat and ward must unite to target drug smugglers, drug peddlers, drive awareness and accelerate rehabilitation. Collective responsibility will build a healthier future. During the past 57 days, I have visited every district of J&K and promised the people that the perpetrators harming our society will not go unpunished. Today, I assure all the citizens that we will light the lamp of a brighter future,” the L-G said.
He stated that in the next 43 days, people must launch a massive movement in Poonch and across UT that should be dedicated to making every panchayat, every lane and every household in the district drug-free.
“The people of Poonch know that, being a border district, narco-terrorists attempt to exploit the geography. Cross-border drug smuggling is destroying young lives and, at the same time, financing terrorism. We must confront this through a whole-of-society approach,” the L-G said.
The L-G said that confronting drug menace requires a shift from indifference to action. He said ‘not my problem’ mindset only emboldens drug smugglers and drug peddlers, who rely on public silence to expand their networks.
“True change happens when communities stand united. A drug-free society is built by those who choose to speak up and act, recognising that this is a shared battle affecting us all. A prosperous society requires both economic progress and vigilant citizens,” he said.
The L-G called for the ‘Drug-Free J&K’ campaign to reach every household and become a permanent part of public consciousness. True prevention, he emphasised, lies in giving youth a purpose through education, skills, sports and transforming them into the ultimate weapon against drug addiction.
“The strategy relies on two powerful pillars. First, mobilise youth clubs to act as the frontline defence against local drug networks, and putting women in leadership positions so mothers and sisters can drive the campaign to make every village drug-free,” the L-G said.
The L-G announced that law enforcement agencies have been given a free hand to completely eradicate the narco-terror ecosystem. Under a newly issued SOP, individuals involved in drug smuggling will face immediate and severe consequences and their passports, driving licences, arms licences and Aadhaar cards are being cancelled and their movable and immovable assets are being attached under the NDPS Act.
“A drug-free J&K will be born of this mass movement. J&K Police, law enforcement and narcotics agencies must ensure no drug smuggler or drug peddler operates within their jurisdiction. The road ahead is long, but we will not stop until every narco-terror network is dismantled. Our determination is unwavering, our unity invincible and our mission is to win,” the L-G said.
