Committed to make J&K drug-free, save youth from destruction: LG Sinha

Srinagar, May 2: Pledging tough action against drug peddlers, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday resolved to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free and save youth from destruction.

During an interaction with a group of journalists at LokBhawan in Srinagar, LG Sinha highlighted major achievements during the ongoing 100-day NashaMuktAbhiyan across J&K. Sinha minced no words to pledge tough action and zero tolerance strategy against drug peddlers, breaking the supply chain in coordination with all sections of the society. He also announced to simultaneously launch facilities for rehabilitation of drug addicts in government hospitals.

“It’s my vision to make J&K drug-free and save its youth from destruction. For this, we have devised a three-pronged strategy comprising breaking supply chains, awareness on drug abuse villages to colonies and finally ensuring rehabilitation of drug addicts,” Sinha said.

LG said authorities are working as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to eradicate drug menace. Elaborating, LG said those dealing with drugs will face strict action including attachments of properties, impounding of vehicles, freezing of bank accounts, cancellation of driving licences and Aadhar cards and recommending revocation of passports of the peddlers.

“Some drug peddlers have been building narco palaces. Subsequently this money is used for terrorism. We are committed to dismantle such narco palaces. Properties raised by selling drugs will face action. We are investigating such properties,” LG said.

LG said action will be taken against de-addiction and rehabilitation centres which are not working properly. “Such centers can even face closure. In the meantime I have directed the launching of de-addiction and rehabilitation of drug addicts in OPDs and IPDs of government hospitals,” he said.

On the growing incidence of misuse of Schedule X drugs, LG warned of closure of those medical shops selling such medicine.”We are closely monitoring pharmacies to detect misuse of such medicines for drug purposes.”

On a query that a large number of drug addicts again take to drugs after rehabilitation, LG said that a system will be devised under which drug addicts will be tracked and monitored for 3 years to ensure long term rehabilitation.

LG stated that “drug money is being used to fund terrorism” and warned of strict action. “Narcotics smuggling is no less than terrorism…we will treat drug traffickers as terrorists.”

“We have started a crackdown on drug peddlers and are hunting them for which even lookout notices have been issued and raids are on. There has been a considerable increase in cases against drug peddlers,” he said.

LG Sinha launched the 100-Day NashaMukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan on April 11, 2026, from the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu. The campaign comprises an intensive anti-drug initiative to dismantle drug supply networks and promote a drug-free lifestyle across the Union Territory.

“I have received overwhelming support from all sections of the society for the anti-drug campaign. In the last three weeks, lakhs of people participated in campaigns against drugs. I daily receive hundreds of invitations to participate in anti-drug rallies. This shows the seriousness of people to eradicate the drug menace. Our youth are being consumed by drugs and it is our collective responsibility to save our younger generation,” LG said. “Religious leaders have an important role to play to apprise youth about ramifications of drug abuse,” he added.

LG said that the ongoing campaign against drugs will extend beyond 100 days. “We won’t sit unless drug menace is not fully eradicated from J&K. The campaign will be successful when each member of the society contributes their bit. Together we can create safer and healthier J&K for generations,” he said.

LG urged people to participate in the foot march against drugs in Srinagar from TRC to Srinagar’s commercial hub Lal Chowk on Sunday.