Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has turned the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan into a mass movement in Jammu and Kashmir, with even adversaries saying that no such powerful campaign has ever been launched before.
LG led a massive anti-drug rally from TRC grounds to Lal Chowk on Sunday, sending a strong message that drug traffickers wouldn’t be spared and that the LG administration is committed to ensuring a drug-free J&K.
Pledging the government’s resolute action against narco-terrorism, which Sinha said is a major security challenge for the country, informed that in the last 21 days, around 481 FIRs have been registered and 518 drug smugglers and peddlers sent to jail
He also informed that 24 houses, which were proceeds of crime, were demolished and property worth crores seized. Kashmir alone accounted for 26 of these attachments. In addition, authorities have recommended the cancellation of more than 300 driving licences, Sinha said.
He also noted that the nexus between narcotic dealers and terrorists had become a challenge for the country’s internal security.
“Narco terrorists have targeted our most valuable asset, our youth. They flooded our streets with drugs. We are facing a dangerous enemy, our neighbour (Pakistan) which gave birth to terrorism in the world,” Sinha, who led a foot march against drug abuse here, said while addressing the participants of the ‘Padhyatra’ for Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir, at TRC Football Ground in Srinagar.
Sinha said the administration has announced a war against drugs in Jammu and Kashmir and it will rescue and save the youth from drug abuse.
“I have visited eight districts of Jammu region after the launch of this war on drugs on April 11. The people of Jammu have spoken in one voice that they want their kids back, they want their future back. Today I want to tell you here that we take them back at any cost,” he said.
The LG said while the government, security forces and police were doing their job, the strongest weapon in the war on drugs is the people’s cooperation.
“Terrorists and drug dealers share the common goal of disrupting the country’s peace, unity, and security. The proceeds of the drug trade are used to fuel terrorism. The time to remain silent is over,” he added.
Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, several MLAs, sportspersons and religious leaders participated in the function held at the football stadium at Tourist Reception Centre here.
Meanwhile, thousands joined the padyatra from TRC grounds to Lal Chowk in Srinagar against drug abuse and trafficking. LG led the yatra.
