Foundation stones laid for sports projects worth ₹20.60 crore; youth, women, teachers and religious leaders urged to lead anti-drug campaign
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday led a massive anti-drug padyatra in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and called for a “whole-of-society approach” to eradicate the growing menace of drug addiction and narcotics trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir.
The padyatra, organised under the ongoing 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan, witnessed participation of hundreds of people and proceeded from Degree College Khanabal to Nai Basti in Anantnag district.
Addressing a large public gathering after the padyatra, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to people across Jammu and Kashmir to break their silence and join the fight against drugs collectively.
“I appeal to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs, and all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction,” Sinha said.
He asserted that the challenge of drug addiction could only be defeated through collective social participation.
“From now on, every corner of the Union Territory — whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages or theatre stages — should give voice to this cause with firm resolve,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the administration and society must understand the direct connection between drug trafficking and terrorism.
“In this war against drugs, administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism and everyone should join hands to defeat it,” he said.
Accusing Pakistan of pushing narcotics into Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said the money generated through drug trade was being used for terrorism and radicalisation in the region.
“Our neighbouring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu and Kashmir by design. The drug money has been used to build narco-palaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalisation,” he said.
“While drugs are ruining the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth on one hand, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons and shed the blood of our brothers and sisters in the Union Territory,” he added.
Calling the issue a long-standing security and social challenge, Sinha said the “narco-terror network” had inflicted suffering on generations in Jammu and Kashmir for decades.
“That is why I always say drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges; they are two faces of the same problem. And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat it,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Calling for intensified action at the grassroots level, Sinha directed police and civil administration officials to reach every panchayat and vulnerable area of Anantnag district during the remaining 71 days of the campaign.
“A decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglers’ network in Anantnag district. Since April 11, the highest number of 108 NDPS cases have been registered in Anantnag,” he said.
Providing details of action taken under the campaign, the Lieutenant Governor said properties worth ₹3.5 crore built through drug money had been demolished in the district.
“Narco-palaces worth ₹3.5 crore built with black money from drugs have been reduced to dust. Twenty-two vehicles have been seized, eight driving licences and vehicle registrations cancelled, while 13 drug stores have been sealed for violating the law,” he said.
“I assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched and the entire machinery involved in drug smuggling will be uprooted from its roots,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor also described women and youth as the biggest strength in the anti-drug movement and urged them to play an active role in rehabilitating affected youth.
“If a family member or neighbour’s youth is going astray, women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction and seek administration’s help whenever required,” he said.
He appealed to sportspersons, teachers and religious leaders to dedicate themselves to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign during the remaining period of the anti-drug drive.
“I appeal to sportspersons, teachers and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign and pledge to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free,” he said.
Highlighting the role of religious leaders, the Lieutenant Governor said they should guide the younger generation morally and spiritually and warn them against the dangers of substance abuse.
“Religious leaders are regarded as people’s guides. I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and warn them about the dangers of drugs,” he said.
Reiterating that the anti-drug campaign was not solely the responsibility of the administration, Sinha said society as a whole must unite against the menace.
“This battle is not just the administration’s battle. It is a collective battle of society. Let us collectively promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighbourhoods. We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugs,” he said.
“I firmly believe that when people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring justice for families affected by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the occasion, Sinha laid foundation stones for several sports infrastructure development projects worth ₹20.60 crore in Anantnag district.
The projects include development of Khel Gaon Modern Sports Infrastructure and residential facility (Khel Bhawan) Stage-I at Jablipora, expansion of sports facilities at Chaki-Kamal Monghal, reconstruction of the sports complex at Nillandrusu and development of a stadium at Harmohalla Ranbirpora.
The Lieutenant Governor said the projects would help channelise the energy of youth in a positive direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanship.
“These sports facilities will channel the energy of youth in the right direction and strengthen discipline and sportsmanship,” he said.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor also felicitated youth icons and distributed sports kits among young athletes.
Artists presented traditional Nukad Natak, Baand Pather and mime performances centred around the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan, spreading awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging youth to contribute towards building a healthy and drug-free society.
