‘Drug Trade Funding Terror, Must Be Crushed’: LG Sinha Launches 100-Day Anti-Drug Campaign, Leads Thousands in Padyatra

Peerzada Masarat Shah
Jammu, (BuzzBytes) : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched a historic 100-day anti-drug campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, leading thousands of citizens in a padyatra from MA Stadium to Parade Ground, and announcing a series of punitive measures against narcotics smugglers including cancellation of passports, Aadhaar cards, driving licences, freezing of bank accounts, and attachment of properties.
Addressing a massive gathering after flagging off the padyatra under the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan’, Sinha said individuals involved in drug trafficking would face strict action, and a standard operating procedure has been introduced to target the financial networks of drug peddlers and dismantle the ecosystem supporting narcotics trade. “Those destroying the future of our youth will not be spared. Enforcement agencies must ensure that the innocent are not harassed, but the guilty do not escape,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also announced that authorities would publicly identify major drug peddlers at the police station level to enhance accountability and act as a deterrent. Highlighting the security aspect, Sinha alleged that drug trafficking was being used to fund terrorism and weaken society, claiming that cross-border networks were pushing narcotics into the region. “Every consignment is a threat to our youth and society. It is not just illegal trade, but an attempt to destabilise the social fabric. Our neighbour is using cross-border smuggling to undermine our nation’s future. Their networks will be dismantled without delay,” he said.
Sinha vowed decisive and uncompromising action, stating, “Those who destroy society will face the full and uncompromising weight of the law. The administration will confiscate all property, revoke licenses, passports, Aadhaar, and freeze bank accounts. This crackdown will echo through generations.” He directed senior officers to strengthen grassroots intelligence with the help of panchayats, mohalla committees, chowkidars, lambardars, and ward surveillance committees to identify and punish every culprit.
The padyatra, which commenced from Maulana Azad Stadium and passed through Dogra Chowk, Vivekanand Chowk, Raghunath Bazaar and City Chowk before culminating at Parade Ground, covered nearly two kilometres, with participants carrying the tricolour and raising slogans against drug abuse. Thousands of citizens from all walks of life, including youth, civil society members, political leaders, academicians, sportspersons, women, and community leaders participated in the march.
“We have given voice to a resolve that will reach every village, town, city, home, and heartbeat in the Union Territory, fulfilling the pledge of a drug-free region,” Sinha told the gathering, adding that April 11 is not a ceremonial start but the first step of a transformative march.
The Lieutenant Governor said the next three months are pivotal, with the campaign advancing in six clear phases — awareness intensive drives, youth-focused events, community engagement, strict enforcement, rehabilitation, and evaluation. “We will move forward with a whole-of-government approach to rid J&K of the drug menace,” he asserted.
Calling for wider public participation, Sinha urged youth, civil society groups, community leaders, and particularly women and mothers to join the campaign through awareness drives, stating that they can play a crucial role in preventing substance abuse. “This is a collective fight. It cannot be handled by the administration alone. Drug-free J&K is not just a slogan but a collective war,” he said.
Sinha emphasized a balanced approach, stating that while strict action would be taken against traffickers, individuals affected by addiction would be provided treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation support. He announced that new rules governing de-addiction and rehabilitation centres have been notified to ensure proper standards and prevent misuse.
Taking a pledge, Sinha asserted that the administration is resolute in ensuring that no youth, family or aspiration is allowed to fall into the dark abyss of addiction. “I firmly believe that drug addiction statistics show mere percentages and case files, but behind each lies a vivid story, a family’s struggle and agony. Let us build a movement so broad, so resolute, and so deeply people-driven that it lays the foundation of a drug-free J&K,” he said.