Demolition and attachment of properties during the ongoing anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir have drawn criticism from leaders of the ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, who said such measures should be halted.
An intensive campaign against drug abuse is currently underway in the Union Territory under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The administration says the initiative aims to curb the drug menace through awareness programmes, community participation, rehabilitation of affected individuals and strict enforcement measures.
In recent weeks, authorities have demolished and attached several properties allegedly linked to drug peddlers.
J&K Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo said demolition of houses was not the right approach.
“I want to ask whether there are more drug addicts in Jammu or Kashmir. As Health Minister, I can say the number is higher in Jammu. But the way houses are being demolished and properties attached in Kashmir is not right. If a child is a drug addict, we must try to rehabilitate and counsel him so that he can recover from this epidemic,” she said.
She added that efforts should focus on preventing drugs from entering Jammu and Kashmir. “Do not allow drugs to enter Jammu and Kashmir. But destroying people’s property and using bulldozers in this way is not right,” she said.
PDP leader and MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi said that while the party supports the anti-drug campaign, the use of bulldozers and demolition of houses reflected “overreach”.
“Collective punishment will not be effective,” he said, adding that drug peddlers should be jailed while victims of addiction should be rehabilitated.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, questioned the remarks made by the minister and the PDP. “If they are speaking against the action, it means they are supporting drug peddlers,” BJP J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said.
He said there was no selective demolition taking place. “Whether in Jammu or Kashmir, action is being taken equally and strictly,” Thakur said, adding that the NC and PDP should not turn the issue into a Jammu-versus-Kashmir debate.
