SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha led a march in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday under Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, a 100-day anti-drug campaign he launched on April 11.“This past month, J&K has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla, I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts, I found young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” Sinha said.“In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organised in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” Sinha said.For many decades, drug smuggling in J&K had been treated as a petty crime, LG Sinha said. “But now, people must realise that a drug smuggler and a terrorist are two sides of the same coin. Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth while terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in J&K,” he added.Sinha’s anti-drug campaign saw large-scale awareness programmes organised by police and civil administration, destruction of poppy cultivation, random urine testing of drivers and intensified crackdowns on drug networks. Awareness drives were also conducted in schools and govt institutions.“Since April 11, around 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 drug traffickers. Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers, and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. As many as 49 immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished,” LG Sinha said. “Stay vigilant. Stay united. I want people of J&K to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley,” he added.“To block drug trafficking, strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across J&K. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far,” a Lok Bhawan spokesperson said.Meanwhile, some political parties objected to the demolition of properties during the drive. Health minister Sakina Itoo condemned the bulldozing of homes. “If a child is addicted to drugs, our responsibility is to rehabilitate him. If a property is in the father’s name, why should it be demolished or seized?” she questioned.
