Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir has dealt a severe blow to the drug-smuggling ecosystem, and that the mass movement is transforming into a revolution against narcotics.
The campaign, titled ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan’, reached north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday, with Sinha leading a ‘padyatra’ (march) from the Government Boys Higher Secondary School to Main Chowk Kupwara. A large number of people, including students, participated in the foot march, an official press release informed.
Addressing a public gathering, the LG said that over the past 32 days, civil and police administration have struck a devastating blow to the entire drug smuggling ecosystem and this people’s movement is transforming into a revolution against narcotics.
“Our consistent action is crippling narco-terrorist networks. Properties worth crores have been seized, assets confiscated, and passports of 15 smugglers recommended for cancellation. Over 730 smugglers and peddlers have been arrested,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The LG stated that at the start of this campaign in April, many doubted the possibility of a mass movement against drugs and underestimated the strength of an awakened public and the impact of determined governance with citizen support.
“With people’s participation and massive support across the Union Territory, a truly organic movement has emerged across villages, urban neighborhoods, schools, colleges, and the streets of Jammu Kashmir.
“This fight against drugs is a long one. For decades, people in Jammu Kashmir saw drugs and terrorism as separate threats. But they are not two problems but they are the two heads of the same snake. One head makes money through drugs while the other uses that money to fuel terrorism. Our terrorist neighbor is involved in financing terror through drug smuggling, turning both drugs and money against innocent Kashmiris,” the LG said.
The LG further observed that the drug smuggling is destroying families and communities and it is providing terror groups their oxygen. He said by dismantling drug smuggling networks, the administration is cutting the lifeline that feeds the fire of terror.
“In Kupwara and Handwara areas combined, 28 drug smugglers are now behind bars. I want to urge our police officers, the soldiers guarding Kupwara’s borders, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force warriors that not a single guilty person should escape. As a border district, Kupwara must stay extra vigilant and take the harshest action against drug smugglers,” the LG said.
Every police station in Kupwara has been directed to gather full details on active drug smugglers and peddlers in their areas and launch decisive action within the next 68 days, the press release said.
It said the LG also urged citizens of Kupwara to participate in awareness drive. He also emphasized on rehabilitation and asked the officers and stakeholders to treat drug addicts as a victim trapped in the dark web of narcotics.
“The drug addicts need our compassion. They are our responsibility. We have to support every young man and woman seeking counseling or treatment. We must ensure they return to society’s mainstream. Senior officials must ensure swift action on every complaint and tip coming through the Manas portal and toll-free number. This has to be done with commitment. Every citizen of Kupwara must remember that we will reach every young person extending a hand for help. Together, we will dismantle the drug smuggling networks, free our youth from addiction’s clutches, and reconnect them to the path of progress,” the LG said.
The LG challenged those criticizing ‘Nasha-Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan’ and said that they should name just one innocent person who was unfairly targeted and effective action will be taken. He said if anyone is trying to protect drug smugglers, we must ask ourselves should they face consequences or not? The Lieutenant Governor said that people of Jammu Kashmir are very clear and firm and they want stringent action against drug smugglers and when the people unite, no force can stop us.
“In the days ahead, our crackdown against drug smuggling will grow tougher and more powerful. The women of Dardpora village had met and they shared how drug smuggling funded weapons that slaughtered their families. That’s why I say it loud and clear that drug traffickers and terrorists are inseparable partners in crime,” the LG said.
On the occasion, the LG unveiled the trophies of Kupwara Forest League by the Forest department and Youth Service and Sports’s Volleyball Championship under Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan.
He also felicitated the winner of reel making competition on drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor visited “Vibrant Village” Trehgam in Kupwara. During his visit, the LG inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects. He also discussed needs and concerns of the villagers, an official press release informed.
It said addressing a public gathering, the LG said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government of India is fully committed to the all-round development of border villages.
“Every village deserves All-weather roads, modern schools & abundant opportunities for the youth. This is the vision driving us to transform Kupwara’s border villages into model villages post-2019. Together, we will turn our resolve into reality,” the LG said.
He said that it is the central government’s commitment to ensure that every child of Trehgam receives the same quality education available in J&K’s cities.
“I want farmers here to access superior seeds, reliable irrigation, and strong market linkages. Trehgam has made remarkable strides in self-employment, with 205 self-help groups and 85 units under Mission Youth already operational. The revival of the historic Sharda Temple in Teetwal has breathed new life into the tourism sector. In 2018-19, only 6,900 tourists visited Kupwara, however, in 2024-25, that number surged to 3,77,000. I’m confident that in the next one or two years, every border village will script its own story of prosperity,” the LG said.
The LG recalled that he had visited Machil on 5th October, 2020, and Keran and Machil areas were connected with Grid Power after 70 years of waiting.
“At that time, reliable power reached about 70 percent of families in Kupwara’s other villages. In just four years, we have extended it to nearly 95 percent of households. Telecom connectivity in border villages now stands at 88 percent. Concerned officials should ensure 100 percent coverage by the end of this year. Every family in border villages is serving the nation, and that service deserves honor in a transformed quality of life. Through PMGSY and PWD, we have already provided all-weather roads to 15 out of 16 Vibrant Villages in the past. Funding for the last one has arrived from the central government, and work will commence soon. We had planned grid power for every household in all 16 Vibrant Villages and so far 95% saturation has been achieved,” the LG said.
The Vibrant Village Phase-2 program outlines three key pillars for holistic growth. First, securing livelihoods by launching new cooperative societies, self-help groups, tourism circuits, and cottage industries, especially empowering women and youth. Second, ensuring physical and digital connectivity to every Vibrant Village, while building strong educational infrastructure. Third, ensuring full saturation of all central government and UT administration schemes. The infrastructure focuses on four thematic areas: all-weather road connectivity, telecom, television access, and electrification.
The LG said through a “whole of government approach”, officials should dedicate themselves to achieve the target and link villages like Trehgam to the national mainstream.
The LG highlighted that the administration is looking beyond the government schemes and programmes to create sustainable opportunities for the youth of the villages like Trehgam.
He emphasized that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds are being channeled into building stadiums and playgrounds across the region.
The LG also reiterated that the Government of India is committed to complete rehabilitation of terror victims and flood affected families.
The projects inaugurated by the LG include establishment of 26 Smart Classrooms in 6 Vibrant Blocks under Aspirational District Programme. The projects for which the foundation stones were laid today are- development of Hill Top Playground, Trehgam, Kupwara at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore and development, renovation/construction and preservation of Cultural Heritage site Shiv Temple at Trehgam, costing Rs 1.94 crores.
The LG handed over appointment letters to SPOs, jobs and sanction letters to local youth and beneficiaries under various schemes. He also flagged off mobile tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis and Awareness vehicle.
Mir Saifullah, Member of Legislative Assembly Trehgam; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Ashwani Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Anil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries; VK Birdi; IGP Kashmir; R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Planning and Information; Amitava Chatterjee, MD & CEO, J&K Bank; Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, senior officials, and people from different walks of life in large number were present.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs calls on LG
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, on Tuesday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan here.
During the interaction, matters related to governance and public affairs were discussed.
