BuzzBytes News Desk
Srinagar, May 03: In a powerful and unprecedented escalation of the administration’s war against substance abuse, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday led a massive anti-drug padyatra in Srinagar, declaring that drug trafficking is “silent terrorism” engineered from across the border to systematically destroy Jammu and Kashmir’s youth, and vowed that peddlers will be treated as “enemies of the nation” with zero mercy under the law.
Addressing a massive gathering at the TRC Football Ground before flagging off the padyatra that witnessed participation from tens of thousands of citizens, including senior officials, public representatives, traders, schoolchildren, religious leaders, and civil society members, Sinha said, “This is not just crime. This is terrorism — silent terrorism. It is poisoning lives, weakening families, and bleeding J&K dry. We are facing a dangerous enemy sitting in our neighbourhood. Drug money is being used to fund terrorism and procure weapons.”
The Lieutenant Governor drew a direct and chilling link between the narcotics trade and cross-border terror, asserting that narco-networks are targeting the “most creative and productive force — our youth” and trying to weaken families, economy, and moral foundations. “They are introducing new methods and instruments to push drugs into markets. But we will not allow their designs to succeed,” he declared, receiving loud cheers from the assembled crowd.
‘Jan Andolan’ Against Drugs
Sinha revealed that the anti-drug campaign, launched on April 11, has transformed into a “Jan Andolan” (people’s movement) in just 22 days. “This war is being fought in every home, every mohalla, every lane — because drugs are draining the life force of our youth. The oath against drugs is not symbolic but reflects the pain of parents, anguish of families, and concern of teachers who have seen young lives getting destroyed. People have now declared ‘bohat hua, ab aur nahi hoga’ (enough is enough, no more),” he said.
The LG disclosed that he has personally visited eight districts of the Jammu region and undertaken padyatras, where a unified message emerged from the people. “Everyone said, we want our children back, we want our future back. Today I have come to Kashmir to say we will bring it back at any cost. No power in the world can stop us from saving our youth,” he asserted, emphasizing that while the government, security forces, and police are doing their job, the strongest weapon in this war is the people’s cooperation.
Massive Crackdown: 518 Arrests, 24 Properties Attached in 22 Days
Presenting a staggering account of enforcement actions, LG Sinha revealed that between April 11 and May 2, over 481 FIRs have been registered, 518 drug smugglers arrested, and 24 narco-properties attached — including 26 properties in Kashmir districts alone. Nearly 300 driving licences have been suspended, five passports cancelled, 325 vehicles seized, and over 3,000 drug stores inspected. He also informed that financial transactions of drug syndicates are being tracked and “each link of the network is being broken.”
The LG warned that police stations will maintain photo galleries of peddlers and lookout notices will be issued against absconders. “Where there is guilt, there will be no mercy. Drug smugglers will be treated like enemies of the country. They are enemies of humanity and our youth,” he said, reiterating the administration’s zero-tolerance policy.
Three-Pronged Strategy: Supply, Awareness, Rehabilitation
Sinha outlined the administration’s three-front strategy: breaking supply chains, mass awareness, and rehabilitation of addicts. Recognizing that punitive action alone cannot solve the crisis, he announced a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. “It is true that we need to build more rehabilitation centres. But those cannot be built immediately, so, in the existing rehabilitation centres, arrangements are being made for treatment. The Health Department has been instructed that both OPD and IPD facilities should be sufficiently available for such people in our hospitals,” he said.
He elaborated on the government’s long-term vision of tracking recovered addicts for three years to ensure complete rehabilitation. However, he stressed that “public participation is the biggest weapon. Police action and laws alone are not enough unless society stands together.”
The Lieutenant Governor called upon religious leaders, imams, teachers, women’s committees, youth clubs, and civil society to act as the administration’s “eyes and ears.” “Prepare lists of drug traffickers and cooperate with police and civil administration. The time for silence is over. Together we will eliminate this menace,” he said, noting that over 70,000 people have already joined the movement.
In a direct appeal to the youth, Sinha said, “Taking drugs is not ‘cool’. Those trapped are victims and must be helped through treatment and compassion. The days of those trying to destroy Jammu and Kashmir are over. We have taken a pledge to make J&K drug-free — and we will achieve it with full determination.”
The padyatra, which commenced from TRC and concluded at Lal Chowk, witnessed unprecedented public participation, cutting across sectors including traders, civil society members, students, and government officials, reflecting what authorities described as a “whole-of-society” approach to addressing substance abuse. The rally was not merely symbolic but aimed at building awareness and resistance against drug addiction, particularly among youth.
The event marked a significant escalation in the administration’s fight against the drug menace, with the Lieutenant Governor’s direct charge against Pakistan signaling that New Delhi is now openly acknowledging the cross-border nature of the narcotics trade fueling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The 100-day campaign still has 78 days remaining, and Sinha urged citizens to ensure maximum public participation to make J&K a model drug-free society. (BuzzBytes)
