Srinagar, May 3: Declaring narcotics trafficking as “silent terrorism” designed to destroy the youth, families and future of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said drug smugglers are enemies of the nation and would face the toughest action under law.
Addressing a large gathering at TRC Football Ground here during the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan’ before leading a padyatra, the Lieutenant Governor said the anti-drug drive had rapidly transformed into a people’s movement across the Union Territory.
He said the campaign, launched just days ago, was no longer confined to government institutions but had entered homes, mohallas and streets where families were battling the growing menace of addiction.
“This is not a symbolic campaign. It reflects the pain of parents, the concern of teachers and the determination of society to reclaim its youth,” he said.
Flagging a major security concern, LG Sinha said narcotics money was being used to finance terrorism and procure weapons.
“We are confronting a dangerous enemy sitting across the border. Drug money is funding terror networks and attempts are being made to weaken our society by targeting young people,” he said.
He said hostile elements were trying to damage Jammu and Kashmir’s social and economic foundations by pushing drugs through new channels and methods, but asserted that such attempts would fail.
The Lieutenant Governor said the administration had launched a 100-day anti-drug mission beginning April 11, adding that the remaining days of the campaign would be utilised to maximise public participation.
“Every day matters. Every hour matters. We must make Jammu and Kashmir a model drug-free society,” he said.
He said the government strategy rests on three fronts — dismantling supply chains, creating mass awareness, and ensuring rehabilitation of addicts.
However, he stressed that official action alone would not be enough without active cooperation from society.
“Police operations and laws can help, but public participation remains the strongest weapon,” he said.
Giving details of recent enforcement measures, the Lieutenant Governor said hundreds of FIRs had been registered since April 11, hundreds of drug smugglers arrested, multiple narco-linked properties attached, vehicles seized, licences suspended and thousands of pharmacies inspected.
He said authorities were also tracing the financial networks of drug syndicates to break each link in the chain.
Reiterating zero tolerance, LG Sinha said every person connected to the narcotics trade would be identified and dealt with firmly, whether operating within or outside Jammu and Kashmir.
“Where there is guilt, there will be no mercy. The innocent, however, will not be touched,” he said.
He added that police stations would maintain photo galleries of peddlers and lookout notices were being issued against absconders.
The Lieutenant Governor urged citizens to act as the eyes and ears of the administration and share information about traffickers with law enforcement agencies.
He also called upon religious leaders, teachers, women’s groups, youth clubs and social organisations to intensify their role in the campaign.
In a direct message to young people, he said drug abuse should never be seen as fashionable.
“Taking drugs is not cool. Those trapped in addiction are victims who need treatment, support and compassion,” he said.
Asserting that forces trying to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir would fail, LG Sinha said the administration and people together had taken a pledge to make the Union Territory drug-free.
