SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday led a padyatra in Bandipora as part of the administration’s campaign against drug abuse and alleged narco-terror networks, urging public participation in efforts to eliminate the drug menace from Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said he had pledged 45 days ago to dismantle the ecosystem of drug smugglers and narco-terrorists, while also launching a broader movement to support youth and restore dignity to families affected by addiction.
He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir remains united in its resolve to become drug-free, adding that action against drug networks would continue without pause.
Sinha said enforcement agencies have launched an extensive drive to dismantle alleged narco-terror networks and their support systems, claiming that no individual involved in drug trafficking would be beyond the reach of law enforcement.
He further stated that several previously concealed drug supply chains were being traced and dismantled, and that long-established cartels were being targeted under ongoing operations.
The Lieutenant Governor said the administration was committed to ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir does not become a safe haven for drug traffickers, adding that efforts were underway to protect youth, support families, and restore social stability.
He also announced that a comprehensive rehabilitation policy would soon be introduced to help individuals affected by addiction reintegrate into society, including access to employment, education, and skill development opportunities.
Sinha stressed that the fight against drugs could not be won by the government alone and required active participation from families, educators, religious leaders, and the wider public.
He said the vision was to build a society where children grow up free from addiction and families remain unaffected by drug abuse, describing the campaign as a collective mission.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the Waqar Knowledge Centre in Bandipora under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, aimed at supporting recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of individuals affected by substance abuse.
The centre provides facilities such as a sports area, badminton court, reading library, and an information desk offering guidance on government schemes, education, employment, and skill development.
Officials said similar centres are planned across all blocks of the district as part of efforts to strengthen community-based intervention and rehabilitation initiatives.
