Lt Governor sets deadline to dismantle drug networks across J&K

Jammu, Apr 13: Directing police officials to prepare ‘top drug peddlers’ lists at all Police Stations, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday set a 30-day deadline to take decisive action to dismantle drug networks across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a massive public rally at Sports Stadium Kathua, where he launched a people’s movement against narcotics under the Drug Free Jammu Kashmir campaign, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha asked the police officials to prepare ‘top drug peddlers’ lists at all Police Stations and take decisive action to dismantle drug networks within 30 days. “Adopt a focused and time-bound approach for complete elimination of drug syndicate,” Sinha told the police officials.
The Lieutenant Governor led a Padyatra from the Sports Stadium to Government Degree College, Kathua, joined by thousands of citizens, public representatives, senior officials, civil society members, social activists, NGOs, women, students and various stakeholders, all united under a shared resolve to make Jammu Kashmir Nasha Mukt.
Warning drug syndicates of an impending crackdown, the Lieutenant Governor stated that a groundbreaking Standard Operating Procedure, recently notified, will ruthlessly crush smugglers by revoking their passports, driving licenses, Aadhaar cards, and arms licenses.
“Under the NDPS Act, we will confiscate all movable and immovable assets, freeze bank accounts, and launch exhaustive financial probes. I want to assure the people of Jammu Kashmir that no perpetrator will escape justice,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He called upon women’s self-help groups to form a Women Vigilance Squad for monitoring the drug abuse cases and informing senior officials about the activities in their areas.
Sinha said, “People say, this isn’t my problem. This mindset must go. We must remember that true prosperity stems not just from wealth, but vigilant and collective resolve.”
He said, “The Government and society must unite for surveillance, rally anti-drug support, and cultivate drug-free villages and towns. We have empowered our police and agencies with full authority to dismantle drug syndicates.”
The Lieutenant Governor said, “A youth who grasps life’s purpose becomes our strongest weapon against drugs.”
He entrusted upon the NGOs and activists to drive grassroots efforts and feedback.
He said, “A drug-free Jammu Kashmir will emerge not from one person, but from collective action. Society must realize that drugs don’t just kill individuals-they erode entire villages’, wards’ and cities’ honor and destiny.”
“Let’s build a J&K where our youth’s energy illuminates the world, not destroys itself. Let us confront this challenge with unyielding resolve,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon every citizen, every Kathua family, to rise and unite against drug abuse. “I ignite a people’s revolution to eradicate drugs from every panchayat, every alley, every family in Kathua district. This is no dream, it’s my unbreakable pledge,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that our future won’t be scripted in documents but forged through decisions of this people’s movement in the next three months.
“We have crafted a well-planned 100-day roadmap- six phased steps fueling systematic resolve. Month one ignites awareness and mobilization; month two deepens community/family penetration; month three cements sustainability,” he said, adding, “Next three months won’t just run a campaign but they will sow seeds for lasting change in J&K. The campaign’s cornerstone is compassionate rehabilitation. We must shift our mindset: addicts are patients and they need our help and support.”
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need for a more effective, accessible, humane rehabilitation centers where lives are reclaimed. “We will crack down hard on traffickers and criminals, but those trapped need empathy and mercy. If a youth strays, we help him recover,” he said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor administered an ‘Anti-Drug Pledge’ and launched the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Anthem. The event also featured powerful awareness video by DIPR and programs, where renowned artists and students used Nukkad Nataks, cultural performances, songs, and poetry to mobilize the public against the menace of narcotics. (KNO)