BuzzBytes News Desk
Jammu, May 31: In what officials describe as one of the biggest crackdowns on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the first 50 days of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan’ have witnessed the arrest of more than 1,000 drug peddlers, seizure of hundreds of kilograms of narcotics and action against illegal assets worth over ₹200 crore.
The ambitious anti-drug campaign was launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on April 11 with the objective of dismantling the entire narcotics ecosystem operating in the Union Territory, including drug trafficking networks, peddlers, financial facilitators and narco-terror elements.
According to official figures, from April 11 to May 29, Jammu and Kashmir Police registered 923 FIRs under various narcotics-related offences and arrested 1,018 individuals involved in drug trafficking and peddling activities.
During the same period, security agencies seized 341 kilograms of narcotic substances, including 12 kilograms of heroin valued at approximately ₹120 crore in the international market. Authorities also recovered 23,752 units of psychotropic tablets during the operations.
As part of stringent preventive measures, 55 individuals were detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
Officials said the campaign has adopted a dual strategy of targeting both drug traffickers and the financial infrastructure sustaining the illegal trade.
In a major blow to narcotics networks, law enforcement agencies attached 89 immovable properties valued at ₹63.93 crore and demolished 63 properties worth ₹19.77 crore. Overall, action has been taken against drug-linked assets exceeding ₹83 crore during the campaign.
Senior officials described the operation as a large-scale people-centric movement that has not only disrupted drug trafficking and peddling networks but has also significantly weakened narco-terror funding channels operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This campaign has helped dismantle the drug ecosystem while simultaneously targeting the financial networks linked to terror funding. It is a comprehensive and sustained assault on narcotics and narco-terrorism,” a senior official said.
The drive has also focused on regulatory enforcement. Authorities initiated action against 120 chemists and druggists found violating regulations. Of these, 118 licences were suspended while two licences were cancelled outright.
Further punitive measures included suspension or cancellation of 668 driving licences and 13 vehicle registration certificates linked to narcotics-related activities. Authorities have also recommended confiscation of 124 passports associated with drug offences.
Alongside enforcement, extensive awareness and outreach activities have been conducted throughout the Union Territory. Officials said more than 16.37 lakh awareness programmes were organised during the campaign, attracting participation from over one crore people across urban and rural areas.
Mental health and rehabilitation efforts have also been strengthened through the Tele-MANAS initiative, which received 3,572 calls related to mental health support and substance abuse concerns.
Officials stated that government-run de-addiction centres under the Health Department provided treatment and counselling services to 58,603 individuals. Among them, 58,138 patients availed outpatient services, while 465 received inpatient treatment and 192 successfully recovered and were discharged.
Rehabilitation centres managed by the Social Welfare Department provided treatment support to 634 patients and counselling services to 1,055 individuals, with 29 patients successfully recovering during the period.
Police-operated counselling and rehabilitation programmes also registered 451 patients, counselled 786 individuals and facilitated the recovery of 138 persons affected by substance abuse.
As part of the public outreach initiative, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha personally led anti-drug padyatras in 10 districts of Jammu division and seven districts of Kashmir Valley. These public awareness marches witnessed participation from approximately three to four lakh people, with Jammu and Srinagar recording the highest turnout.
Addressing participants during these events, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to eradicating the drug menace and bringing all drug smugglers and narco-terror operatives to justice.
He said hidden supply chains are being identified and dismantled, while drug cartels that had operated for decades are being systematically targeted and destroyed.
“Jammu and Kashmir will not become a safe haven for those who profit from human suffering. Drug abuse is a form of silent terrorism, and those poisoning our youth and society will not be spared,” Sinha said.
Authorities have also intensified surveillance and institutional monitoring mechanisms. During the campaign, officials inspected 6,436 chemist shops, installed 6,881 CCTV cameras and carried out inspections in 2,127 schools and hospitals to prevent the circulation of drugs near educational institutions and other sensitive areas.
Intelligence-based operations have further led to the identification of 3,045 suspected drug peddlers and smugglers, examination of 386 suspects and detention of 36 individuals under the PIT-NDPS Act.
Officials said the campaign will continue with greater intensity in the coming weeks, focusing on dismantling remaining narcotics networks, strengthening rehabilitation efforts and preventing the use of drug trafficking proceeds for terror-related activities.
The administration maintains that the fight against drugs is not merely a law enforcement exercise but a comprehensive social movement aimed at protecting future generations and building a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.
