Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 21

J&K authorities arrested 2581 alleged drug traffickers and seized nearly 1431 kg of narcotics during the first 100 days of a government campaign against drugs and narco-terrorism, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday.

Addressing an event organised by the Social Welfare Department, Sinha said the authorities had also confiscated assets worth more than Rs 188.89 crore and seized 23.29 kg of heroin during the campaign.

He said the administration was focused on dismantling drug trafficking networks, raising public awareness and expanding rehabilitation programmes for people affected by addiction.

The government would soon launch a Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, initially as a pilot in two sensitive districts, one each in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, Sinha said.

The three-year programme would provide medical treatment and therapy in its first phase, followed by education and employment support and then long-term relapse prevention and community assistance.

Sinha said the campaign had included public outreach programmes across all 20 districts and credited communities with building momentum against drug abuse.

He said authorities had also revoked driving licences and vehicle registrations, recommended suspension of passports and taken action against pharmacies found violating rules.

The Lieutenant Governor urged families and communities to help people affected by addiction seek treatment rather than ostracising them.

He said the government planned to expand rehabilitation centres, counselling services and employment and skills programmes for those completing treatment.

LG Sinha warned drug traffickers of stringent action and called on citizens, teachers and community and religious leaders to report drug-related activity and help prevent young people from falling into addiction.