Lieutenant Governor directs intensified crackdown on narco terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR, May 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Union Territory Administration to further intensify the crackdown against the narco-terror ecosystem operating within Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairing a high-level meeting with senior officials at Lok Bhavan Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor took appraisal of the progress of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan and emphasized the urgent need for a stronger anti-drug mechanism. The high-level meeting saw participation from Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department Anil Kumar Singh, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Power Development Department Ashwani Kumar.

Other key officials in attendance included Principal Secretary of the Home Department Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Mandeep K. Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary of the School Education Department Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary of Health and Medical Education M Raju, and Commissioner Secretary of Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh.During the review, the Lieutenant Governor directed the Director General of Police to further strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force by deploying additional manpower.

While reviewing rehabilitation measures for drug abuse victims, Manoj Sinha directed for scaling up the number of police and health department-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centers across the Union Territory, emphasizing regular monitoring by health officials to ensure proper counseling and treatment.

Furthermore, he directed authorities to identify and monitor vulnerable locations like abandoned buildings and river bunds to prevent their misuse for narcotics-related activities, while calling for wider public disclosure of high-profile drug peddlers to deter narcotics crimes and create greater public awareness.

The Lieutenant Governor also entrusted the School and Higher Education Departments to organize sports tournaments and youth engagement programs to effectively steer the youth away from drug abuse.