SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday attended a public mobilisation programme against drug abuse in Pulwama, urging citizens to intensify efforts to dismantle what he described as a narco-terror ecosystem and protect youth from addiction.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the ongoing public outreach against drugs across Jammu and Kashmir had gained momentum over the past month, with large-scale participation reported from multiple districts, including Baramulla, Srinagar, Jammu, Samba, Udhampur and Kathua. He said the recent mobilisation reflected a shift from silence to collective resistance against drug abuse.
He stated that the fight against drugs must be seen in the wider context of organised criminal networks, asserting that drug trafficking and terrorism are interlinked. He cautioned that proceeds from drug trade were being used to support activities aimed at radicalisation and violence, and said enforcement agencies were working to dismantle these networks.
According to figures shared during the address, over 11,000 local events have been organised in Pulwama in recent days as part of awareness and enforcement drives. Authorities have registered FIRs against 48 individuals involved in drug trafficking, while 56 persons have been arrested in related cases.
The Lieutenant Governor further said that since April 11, 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested across Jammu and Kashmir. During the same period, recommendations were made to cancel passports of 18 traffickers, while driving licences of 382 individuals and vehicle registrations of 386 vehicles were cancelled. He added that 49 immovable properties were seized and 45 structures demolished as part of enforcement action.
He also stated that nearly 5,045 drug stores have been inspected across the Union Territory. Of these, licences of 225 drug stores were suspended, 27 licences cancelled, and FIRs registered against six establishments.
On public outreach, the Lieutenant Governor said 393,000 awareness and engagement programmes have been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir, with participation from large sections of the population. He added that 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed to strengthen community-level monitoring and rehabilitation efforts.
Officials also reported that more than 100 helpline calls are being received daily, while over 52,000 patients have undergone treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far.
The Lieutenant Governor said the campaign would continue in the coming weeks, calling for sustained vigilance and community participation to curb drug abuse and strengthen rehabilitation efforts.
