Srinagar is witnessing a significant escalation in anti-narcotic drives as part of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ and ‘Nasha Mukt J&K’ campaigns, aiming to combat the growing menace of drug abuse across the region. Numerous events, including awareness programs, rallies, and medical camps, have been organized involving various stakeholders such as police, government officials, transporters, students, and civil society members.
Community Mobilization Against Drug Abuse
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has intensified efforts to eradicate drug abuse, emphasizing public participation to create a drug-free society. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has stated that the fight against drugs requires a people’s movement, extending the campaign to villages and local communities. Recent initiatives have seen transporters joining the drive to promote drug-free roads, with symposiums held in Srinagar to discuss the link between substance abuse and road accidents. The Green Valley Taxi Sumo Union, in collaboration with traffic police and the Motor Vehicles Department, organized a symposium highlighting these risks and called for proactive roles from the transport community.
Police across various districts in Kashmir, including Shopian, Budgam, Sopore, and Ganderbal, have been actively involved in awareness and enforcement activities. These efforts include sticker campaigns with anti-drug messages pasted on vehicles and public places, as well as village-level meetings to strengthen community coordination.
Youth Engagement in Anti-Drug Campaigns
A substantial focus of the ‘Nasha Mukt J&K’ campaign is on engaging the youth. Over 1,800 young people participated in an anti-drug march and mini-marathon in Srinagar, sending a strong message against substance abuse. These events, organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar, aim to instill a sense of purpose and encourage a drug-free lifestyle among students.
Educational institutions are also playing a crucial role. The Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organized pledge ceremonies across its campuses as part of a 100-day information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign against drug abuse. Vice-Chancellor Prof. A Ravinder Nath stressed the importance of collective responsibility and urged students to become ambassadors of awareness.
Enforcement and Rehabilitation Efforts
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced an intensified crackdown on narcotics, with Inspector General of Police (IGP) VK Birdi asserting a strict zero-tolerance policy. The police are focusing on breaking supply chains, identifying trafficking networks, and taking stringent legal action against peddlers, smugglers, and users.
In addition to enforcement, awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are being prioritized. Srinagar Police organized free medical camps under the Civic Action Programme, providing consultations and medicines while also conducting awareness sessions on the consequences of substance abuse.
The 100-day ‘Nasha Mukt’ campaign, launched across the Union Territory, features a series of awareness initiatives, public outreach programs, and coordinated enforcement drives to tackle drug abuse and trafficking networks. The administration has also strengthened its counter-narcotics framework and deployed advanced surveillance systems to combat cross-border drug smuggling.
The Chenab Times News Desk