Associated News Bureau

LG Manoj Sinha Orders Intensified Crackdown on Narco-Terror Network in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, May 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Union Territory administration to further intensify the crackdown on the narco-terror ecosystem operating across Jammu and Kashmir. The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar to assess the progress of the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan.” The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Public Works (R&B) Anil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Power Development Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary School Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education M Raju, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh, besides other senior officials. Reviewing the anti-drug campaign, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for a stronger and more coordinated mechanism to dismantle narcotics networks and curb drug abuse in the Union Territory. He directed the Director General of Police to further strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force through additional manpower deployment. Taking stock of rehabilitation measures for victims of substance abuse, the Lieutenant Governor instructed the authorities to expand the network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres being operated by the police and the health department across the UT. He also stressed regular monitoring by health officials to ensure effective counselling and treatment facilities for affected individuals. The Lieutenant Governor further directed officials to identify and monitor vulnerable locations, including abandoned buildings and river bunds, to prevent their misuse for narcotics-related activities. He also called for wider public disclosure of high-profile drug peddlers to deter drug-related crimes and enhance public awareness. To safeguard the youth from the menace of drugs, the Lieutenant Governor tasked the School and Higher Education Departments with organising sports tournaments and youth engagement programmes aimed at encouraging positive community participation and steering young people away from substance abuse.