Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the narco-terror ecosystem, saying narco-terrorists and drug-peddlers can no longer hide and will be hunted down even in their deepest hideouts.
“Narco-terrorists and drug peddlers can no longer hide. The law enforcement agencies are on their trail. We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of the narco-terror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreads,” the LG said.
Sinha made these remarks while addressing a gathering in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district where he led a padyatra (foot-march) as part of the 100-day ‘Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan’, an official press release informed.
Sinha said that over the last 39 days, across different districts of Jammu Kashmir, neighbours became each other’s support and most importantly long-standing silence that hung over the UT began to break.
“Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fuelled by fear, greed, and destruction. In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organised in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” he said.
The LG said that for many decades, drug smuggling in J&K was treated as mere local crime, and now the people must realise that the drug smuggler and the terrorist are two sides of the same coin.
“Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth and the terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in Jammu & Kashmir. Every deal a drug peddler makes not only wrecks a young life but also finances the killing of innocent citizens.
“When drug smugglers earn money, our youth lose their future and that money arm terrorists against innocents in Jammu & Kashmir. That is why my resolve is unshakable and my firm promise that we will remove drug smugglers and peddlers from Jammu & Kashmir’s soil,” Sinha said.
He urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to strike the final blow against drug abuse and help dismantle the narco-terror network to save the young generation from addiction.
“I urge my brothers and sisters to strike the final blow against drug abuse, so together we dismantle the narco-terror network and save our young generation from addiction,” the LG said.
He said in the past month since the campaign began on April 11, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed public spirit awaken.
“In Baramulla, I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts I saw young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” he added.
The campaign began in Jammu on April 11 with a massive padyatra led by the LG from the MA Stadium.
The LG led a similar padyatra in the Lal Chowk area of Srinagar city on May 3 as well as in other districts.
Since April 11, about 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested.
Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 traffickers.
Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. Forty-nine immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished, an official spokesman said.
He said that across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, nearly 5,045 drug stores have been inspected, licenses of 225 drug stores have been suspended, licenses of 27 stores cancelled, and FIRs registered against six stores.
Since April 11, 393,000 programmes have been held throughout J&K, with millions taking part through awareness and outreach activities, he said.
To strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across Jammu and Kashmir, to block drug trafficking and ensure rehabilitation of those trapped by addiction. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far, he added.
The LG said as the 100-days campaign advances, people must fuel its momentum.
“Stay vigilant, stay united. I want people of Jammu & Kashmir to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley. Together, we will break addiction’s chains in Jammu Kashmir, end terrorism, and light up our streets, homes, and future. A month ago, we dreamed of a drug free Jammu Kashmir. Today, we are proving it is real,” he said.
