Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has pledged a robust and unwavering response to drug networks operating within the Union Territory, underscoring the necessity of a collective societal effort to combat substance abuse. Speaking at an event in Samba as part of the ongoing 100-day ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan’ (Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir Campaign), Sinha articulated the administration’s commitment to eradicating the drug menace and fostering a future unburdened by its effects.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the campaign’s efficacy would be measured not by superficial activities but by tangible results. These metrics include the number of individuals successfully rehabilitated, the prosecution of drug smugglers, the closure of illegal rehabilitation centers, the registration of cases, the quantity of contraband seized, and the establishment of women’s committees at the Panchayat and ward levels.
Directing Deputy Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police, and other enforcement agencies, Sinha mandated the conduct of regular audits for the campaign. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive strategy encompassing the identification, counselling, treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction.
Highlighting concerns about external influences, Sinha stated that the drug crisis has been deliberately exacerbated by a neighboring country with the intent to finance militancy and destabilize society, noting that the youth are specifically targeted. He called for the application of the strictest legal measures against all individuals involved in narcotics trafficking and associated conspiracies.
The Lieutenant Governor appealed for sustained public engagement throughout the remaining 85 days of the campaign, asserting that drug addiction constitutes a societal crisis rather than an isolated individual problem. He observed a growing trend of community involvement, with parents, educators, and individuals who have overcome addiction actively participating in awareness drives and sharing their experiences to prevent substance abuse.
Sinha characterized the campaign as a “people’s resolve,” distinct from a mere governmental directive, and noted that it has already precipitated noticeable shifts in public attitudes within a brief period.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor also initiated a bike rally and inaugurated the Samba Cricket Premier League, both activities conducted under the banner of the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan.
The Chenab Times News Desk