Pulwama, May 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday joined the ongoing Nasha-Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign in Pulwama and issued a stern warning to narco-terrorists and drug peddlers, asserting that law enforcement agencies would track them down even in their “deepest hideouts.”
Addressing a gathering during the anti-drug campaign, the Lieutenant Governor said the administration’s mission goes beyond arrests and aims at completely dismantling the narco-terror network operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests but the total destruction of the narco-terror empire and uprooting the very source from where this poison spreads,” he said.
The LG said that over the last 39 days, people across Jammu and Kashmir have united against the menace of drugs, breaking what he described as a “long silence” surrounding drug abuse in the Union Territory.
“Today that silence has transformed into a collective public outcry against drugs. In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local awareness events have been organised recently. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers while 56 traffickers have been arrested. These numbers reflect direct action against the roots of terror,” he said.
Sinha stated that for decades, drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir was viewed merely as a local crime, but stressed that people must now understand the direct connection between drug trafficking and terrorism.
“Drug smugglers destroy the future of our youth, while terror outfits use the money generated from narcotics to fund terrorism and radicalisation in Jammu and Kashmir. Every drug deal not only ruins a young life but also finances violence against innocent citizens,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor said the administration remains committed to eradicating the drug menace from the Union Territory and ensuring that traffickers and peddlers have no space left to operate.
Highlighting the government’s crackdown, the LG informed that since April 11, nearly 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested across Jammu and Kashmir. Recommendations have also been made for cancellation of passports of 18 traffickers, while driving licences of 382 accused and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled.
He further said that 49 immovable properties linked to drug trafficking have been seized and 45 properties demolished during the ongoing drive.
On the enforcement front, around 5,045 medical shops across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions have been inspected. Licences of 225 drug stores have been suspended, 27 cancelled and FIRs lodged against six establishments for violations.
The LG also said that nearly 3.93 lakh awareness programmes have been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir under the anti-drug campaign, with participation from millions of citizens. Additionally, over 6,646 women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed to strengthen community vigilance and rehabilitation efforts.
He added that de-addiction centres across Jammu and Kashmir have treated more than 52,000 patients so far, while over 100 helpline calls related to addiction are being received daily.
“As this 100-day campaign moves forward, people must stay vigilant and united. Stopping even one drug peddler saves lives and weakens the terror ecosystem in the Valley,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
