Jammu Kashmir at ‘Critical Juncture’, LG Sinha Calls for Mass Action Against Drug Menace | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said Jammu and Kashmir is at a “very critical juncture” and called for a united mass movement to tackle the rising menace of drug abuse among youth.

He announced that the Union Territory will launch a 100-day intensive campaign under Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan from April 11, aimed at dismantling the drug addiction ecosystem. The preparedness for the campaign was reviewed by the LG a day earlier.

The campaign will be implemented from the panchayat level up to the Union Territory level, with active participation from all sections of society. It will address the issue through legal action, enforcement measures, and rehabilitation efforts.

In a video message, Sinha said there are attempts to push youth towards drug addiction as part of a larger conspiracy, warning that it threatens an entire generation.

Referring to earlier initiatives, he said the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2020 under the leadership of Narendra Modi has led to significant anti-drug efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that in 2025, a major anti-drug campaign was carried out, supported by effective action from police and security forces.

However, he stressed the need for a broader societal response, noting that a comprehensive 100-day plan has been devised to intensify the fight.

Sinha said the campaign will be formally launched at a large gathering at MA Stadium on April 11, where civil society members, political leaders, academicians, and sportspersons will participate. A pledge against drug abuse will be taken, followed by a padayatra that will extend across Jammu and Kashmir.

Calling for public participation, the LG said the campaign is about safeguarding the future of youth and addressing the increasing number of distressing incidents linked to drug abuse.

He urged people to actively join the initiative, describing it as a mission to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free and ensure strict action against drug traffickers. The administration, he said, has prepared a coordinated strategy involving all departments, along with police and security agencies.

Sinha also said he will visit different districts to strengthen the campaign through padayatras and directly engage with the public.