Associated News Bureau

LG Manoj Sinha Leads Massive Anti-Drug March in Bandipora, Vows Relentless Crackdown on Narco-Terror Network

Srinagar, May 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday led a massive Padyatra in Bandipora, intensifying the Union Territory’s campaign against narco-terror and drug abuse while calling for a united public movement to eradicate the menace from Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a large gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that 45 days ago he had pledged not only to dismantle the ecosystem of drug smugglers and narco-terrorists but also to launch a people’s movement aimed at restoring dignity to families affected by addiction and safeguarding the future of youth. He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir stands united, determined and unwavering in its resolve to make society drug-free, adding that the ongoing crackdown against narco-terrorists and drug smugglers would continue until every such network is uprooted from the region. “The action against narco-terrorists and drug smugglers will not stop until every drug smuggler is eliminated from the sacred soil of Jammu Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said, adding that security and enforcement agencies have launched an unprecedented drive to dismantle the hidden narco-terror network operating across the Union Territory. He said several drug supply chains that had remained concealed for years are now being identified and dismantled, while drug cartels that flourished for decades are being wiped out through intensified enforcement measures. The Lieutenant Governor maintained that the administration has sent a strong message that Jammu and Kashmir will not serve as a safe haven for those profiting from the destruction of society and the future of youth. He added that the law is now being enforced firmly against narco-terror elements, while rehabilitation and protection measures for affected youth and families are simultaneously being strengthened. Highlighting the government’s rehabilitation efforts, the Lieutenant Governor announced that the administration will soon introduce a comprehensive rehabilitation policy aimed at helping youth affected by addiction reintegrate into mainstream society through employment opportunities, education and skill development initiatives. He stressed that the success of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir would not only be measured by arrests, but by the number of lives rebuilt, homes restored and young people empowered to pursue their aspirations. Calling for collective public participation, the Lieutenant Governor said the fight against drugs cannot be won by the government alone and appealed to families, teachers, religious leaders and responsible citizens to actively support the campaign against substance abuse and narco-terror. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated the Waqar Knowledge Centre – Engaging Youth Against Drug Abuse in Bandipora under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative. The centre has been established as a rehabilitation and engagement platform for recovering addiction cases and includes facilities such as a sports corner, badminton court, reading library and an information desk offering guidance on government schemes, education, employment and skill development opportunities. Officials said the administration plans to establish similar Waqar Knowledge Centres in every block of the district to strengthen community resilience against drug abuse and provide constructive avenues for youth engagement and rehabilitation.