“Bulldozing Houses of Drug Peddlers is Wrong”: Sakina Itoo Calls for Counselling, Rehabilitation | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday criticised the demolition of houses allegedly linked to drug peddlers, describing such actions as “wrong” and asserting that rehabilitation and counselling should remain the focus of anti-drug measures.

Speaking to reporters, Itoo said the responsibility of curbing drug trafficking rested with the Home Department, while treatment and rehabilitation of addicts fell under the Health Department.

She said the anti-drug campaign initiated under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was necessary, but objected to demolition of residential properties in narcotics-related cases.

The minister argued that such actions often affect entire families, including parents and relatives who may have no involvement in drug-related activities.

She also called for efforts to trace the larger narcotics supply network rather than focusing only on individuals arrested in such cases.

Questioning why such demolition drives were being witnessed largely in Kashmir, Itoo said drug addiction and trafficking were issues in Jammu as well.

She cautioned against actions that could lead to public alienation and maintained that authorities should prioritise counselling and rehabilitation over “destruction”.

Itoo further stated that the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir does not control the Home Department and appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to stop demolition drives linked to narcotics cases.

She also said that if narcotics were entering through border routes, security agencies should strengthen preventive measures to stop the inflow.