Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 23

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that the administration is preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for young people affected by drug addiction, with a focus on de-addiction, employment and reintegration into society.

Addressing the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Padyatra in Shopian, LG Sinha said the government’s approach would go beyond treatment and include measures to help recovering youth return to the mainstream through jobs and livelihood opportunities.

“Our aim is not only to free addicted youth through de-addiction programmes but also to reintegrate them into the mainstream by providing employment and jobs,” he said.

LG Sinha said the anti-drug campaign launched 43 days ago in Jammu had grown into a mass movement across the Union Territory, with widespread public participation against narcotics trafficking.

“From every lane and by-lane of J&K, voices are rising in unison, demanding that not a single drug smuggler be spared,” he said, adding that people across communities were united in their resolve to eliminate what he described as “narcotics-terrorism”.

The LG said drug abuse was pushing youth away from progress and accused terrorist groups of using proceeds from narcotics trafficking to finance violence in the region.

“Terrorist groups use proceeds from drugs to buy weapons, and with those weapons, the blood of ordinary Kashmiris is spilled,” he said.

LG Sinha warned of strict legal action against anyone linked to drug networks, including public officials, saying the administration would act firmly against any such nexus.

“Whether an official or anyone in public life, if they are in any way connected to the drug network or lend it support, they will face strict legal consequences,” he said.

Highlighting the administration’s recent enforcement measures, LG Sinha said 797 FIRs had been registered in the past 43 days and 894 alleged drug smugglers and peddlers arrested.

He said 59 traffickers had been detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, while 81 structures allegedly built using proceeds from drug trafficking had been demolished.

According to LG Sinha, 101 immovable properties linked to traffickers have been attached, 457 driving licences suspended, and recommendations made for cancellation of passports of 22 alleged smugglers and registration of 606 vehicles.

He also said authorities inspected 5,641 medical stores across Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in suspension or cancellation of licences of 268 stores, while FIRs were registered against six establishments.

LG Sinha said more than 7000 women’s committees had been formed across J&K as part of the anti-drug campaign, adding that strengthening these committees would remain a priority for the administration.