SRINAGAR, May 3: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has identified the nexus between narcotic dealers and militant groups as a significant challenge to the country’s internal security, stating that the illicit drug trade is being used to fuel militancy. He made these remarks while participating in a foot march against drug abuse in Srinagar, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to eradicating the menace from Jammu and Kashmir.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Lieutenant Governor Sinha directly accused an “inimical neighbour” of targeting the region’s youth by flooding its streets with drugs. He asserted that the government and security forces are determined to thwart the designs of what he described as a “dangerous enemy” that has, in his view, given birth to global militancy.
Addressing participants of the ‘Padhyatra’ for a ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir’ (Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir), Sinha declared a war against drugs in the Union Territory. He stated that the administration aims to rescue and save the youth from the clutches of drug abuse. Following his participation in the march, he noted that the people of Jammu have unequivocally expressed their desire to reclaim their children’s futures. “Today I want to tell you here that we take them back at any cost,” he pledged, highlighting the urgency and determination behind the anti-drug campaign.
The Lieutenant Governor underscored that while the government, security forces, and police are actively engaged in their duties, the most potent weapon in this war is the cooperation of the public. “Militants and drug dealers share the common goal of disrupting the country’s peace, unity, and security. The proceeds of the drug trade are used to fuel militancy. The time to remain silent is over,” Sinha stated, calling for collective action.
The event saw the participation of several dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, numerous Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), sportspersons, and religious leaders. The march was held at the football stadium at the Tourist Reception Centre in Srinagar.
Earlier, on Saturday, the administration outlined a three-year monitoring programme for the rehabilitation of drug abuse victims. Stringent measures are also under consideration, including the cancellation of driving licenses and recommendations for passport revocation for drug peddlers. The Lieutenant Governor indicated that the government plans to expand the network of rehabilitation centres and enhance the infrastructure of existing facilities.
“It is true that we need to build more rehabilitation centres. But those cannot be built immediately, so, in the rehabilitation centres that exist, arrangements are being made for their (victims) treatment. The Health Department has been instructed that both OPD and IPD facilities should be sufficiently available for such people in our hospitals,” Sinha had previously stated, emphasizing the immediate need for accessible healthcare services.
Further detailing the stringent actions against drug peddlers, Sinha explained that the administration has implemented deterrent measures as part of a well-defined strategy. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued mandating that individuals apprehended in drug trafficking will face not only criminal cases but also the cancellation of their driving licenses. Vehicle registrations will be terminated, and recommendations will be made for passport revocation.
Additional measures include the freezing of bank accounts, action related to Aadhaar cards, issuance of lookout notices for absconding individuals, and the attachment of property under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The administration is also engaging religious leaders to foster societal awareness and urging the public to join in a unified fight against the drug menace.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
