Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday led one of the largest public rallies against drug abuse in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, vowing to “end the drug scourge once and for all.”
Addressing a gathering during the anti-drug campaign, the Lieutenant Governor urged people to unite in the fight against narcotics and help dismantle the narco-terror network operating in Jammu and Kashmir. “We must strike the final blow against drug abuse and save our young generation from addiction,” he said.
Sinha said a strong public movement against drugs has emerged across Jammu and Kashmir over the past month.
“In Baramulla, Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and several other districts, I witnessed young people and parents coming together with determination to fight this menace,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the anti-drug campaign had transformed into a people’s movement over the last 39 days, with communities actively supporting each other and breaking the silence surrounding substance abuse.
“Today, that silence has turned into a loud collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network driven by fear, greed and destruction,” he said.
Highlighting the efforts made in Pulwama district, Sinha said more than 11,000 awareness and outreach events had been organised in recent days.
“FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, while 56 traffickers have been arrested. These figures show that we are directly targeting the roots of problem,” he added.
The L-G asserted that drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir could no longer be viewed merely as a local crime, stating that drug trafficking and terrorism were closely linked.
“Drug smugglers profit by destroying the future of our youth, while terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in Jammu and Kashmir. Every narcotics deal not only ruins a young life but also finances violence against innocent citizens,” he said.
Reiterating his resolve to eliminate the drug network, Sinha warned traffickers and peddlers that law enforcement agencies were intensifying their crackdown.
“You can no longer hide. Law enforcement agencies are on your trail and will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just to arrest offenders but to completely dismantle the narco-terror ecosystem,” he said.
Officials said that since April 11, around 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested across J&K.
