Bandipora, May 25, KDC: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sonawari, Hilal Akbar Lone, remained absent from the Lieutenant Governor-led Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan event held in Bandipora on Monday.
The event was part of the ongoing drive against drug abuse and narcotics in Jammu and Kashmir under the “Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir” initiative being spearheaded by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The campaign has witnessed anti-drug marches, awareness programmes and community outreach efforts across districts in recent weeks.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone was not present during today’s Bandipora programme. No immediate public statement explaining his absence had been issued till the filing of this report.
Despite repeated attempts, MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone could not be reached for comments.
The development comes days after Langate MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh had also stayed away from a similar programme linked to the anti-drug campaign.
The Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan is a Union Territory-wide anti-drug campaign launched to combat rising drug abuse and narcotics trafficking. The LG formally intensified the programme through a 100-day anti-drug drive beginning April 11 this year, focusing on awareness, rehabilitation, enforcement and public participation.
In recent weeks, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has personally led anti-drug marches in districts including Srinagar, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian, stressing that the campaign has evolved into a grassroots movement and warning drug smugglers of strict action. (KDC)
