Lolab Administration Holds Mega Anti-Drug Awareness Rally Under ‘Nasha Mukt J&K’ Campaign

Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara: In a major outreach initiative under the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir’ campaign, the Lolab administration on Thursday organised a mega anti-drug awareness rally in Sogam, drawing wide participation from officials, students, and civil society.

The rally commenced from the Range Office Sogam and proceeded through the Central Market before culminating at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sogam. It was led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Lolab Mudassir Ahmad, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Lolab Aatif Ahmad, Incharge SHO (Prob.) Sogam Vikas Gupta, Tehsildar Sogam Saqib Murtaza, BMO Sogam Dr. Javid Rasool, TSO Sogam Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Range Officer Sogam Athar Parvaiz, Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Sogam Mushtaq Ahmad, SDAO Agriculture Javid Ahmad, HDO Horticulture Abdul Hameed, Incharge Principal GDC Sogam Showkat Subhan, Incharge Principal Higher Secondary Lalpora, along with officials from Forest Department and Forest Protection, and other notable personalities.

The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, members of civil society, traders’ federation representatives, and religious leaders, reflecting a collective resolve to combat the growing drug menace.

Speaking on the occasion, SDM Lolab Mudassir Ahmad said that, under the directions of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and close supervision of the district administration Kupwara, efforts are being intensified to spread awareness to every nook and corner of the sub-division. He emphasised the pivotal role of educational institutions in sensitising youth and urged students to act as ambassadors of change within their communities.

He also appealed to the public to refrain from smoking in public places and reiterated the administration’s strict stance against substance abuse, warning that no leniency would be shown to those found involved in drug-related activities.

The participants towards the end took a solemn pledge to generate awareness and ensure that they help in putting an end to the menace.

Meanwhile, Range Officer Sogam Athar Parvaiz who had roped in officials from far-flung areas of the jurisdiction in the rally, said that his department will extend all possible assistance to the administration to ensure the message reaches to far-off areas to effectively put to end to the drug menace.

Notably, the initiative forms part of a Union Territory-wide strategy aimed at combating drug abuse through a multi-pronged approach encompassing enforcement, prevention, and community engagement.

The 100-day anti-drug campaign launched by the Jammu and Kashmir administration led by LG Manoj Sinha focuses on intensified action against drug trafficking networks while simultaneously promoting preventive education, particularly among youth.

Authorities have been conducting sustained operations to dismantle supply chains and curb the spread of narcotics across the region.