Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha vows to destroy narco terror network in Jammu and Kashmir
SRINAGAR, May 19 — Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined the public movement against drugs in Pulwama and issued a stern warning to narco-terrorists and drug peddlers.
He emphasized that law enforcement agencies are actively trailing these criminal elements, promising to hunt them down even in their deepest hideouts. He declared that the administration’s mission extends beyond making arrests to the complete destruction of the narco-terror empire and tearing out the roots from which this poison spreads.
Addressing the citizens, Manoj Sinha highlighted that a long-standing silence over the Union Territory has broken over the last 39 days, transforming into a collective public outcry against substance abuse. He noted that the public spirit has awakened across various districts, including Baramulla, Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, and Srinagar, where youth and parents are resolutely committed to the fight.
In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events were organized recently, leading to FIRs against 48 drug smugglers and the arrest of 56 drug traffickers.The Lieutenant Governor stated that for many decades, drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir was mistakenly treated as a mere local crime.
He urged citizens to realize that drug smugglers and terrorists are two sides of the same coin. He explained that smugglers profit by destroying the future of the youth, while terror outfits use those illicit funds to fuel terrorism and radicalization.
According to Manoj Sinha, every drug deal financializes the killing of innocent citizens, making the resolve to eliminate peddlers from the region unshakable.Significant administrative enforcement has taken place since April 11, resulting in the arrest of about 897 drug smugglers and peddlers.
Authorities have recommended the cancellation of passports for 18 traffickers, while revoking the driving licenses of 382 individuals and the vehicle registrations of 386 others. Furthermore, 49 immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties have been demolished as part of the strict crackdown on the narcotics ecosystem.
The regional administration has also targeted commercial supply chains by inspecting nearly 5,045 drug stores across both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. These inspections led to the suspension of 225 store licenses, the cancellation of 27 licenses, and the registration of FIRs against six stores.
Alongside law enforcement, a massive awareness campaign comprising 393,000 programs has engaged millions of participants since April 11.To strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, the administration has formed 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs across the region.
These community groups are tasked with blocking drug trafficking and supporting rehabilitation efforts. Currently, addiction treatment facilities are receiving over 100 helpline calls each day, and more than 52,000 patients have received treatment so far.
Manoj Sinha concluded by urging citizens to sustain this momentum throughout the 100-day campaign, reminding them that saving lives from addiction directly weakens terrorism in the valley.