LG leads ‘Drug-Free J&K’ Padyatra in Poonch, marks completion of all-district outreach

Jammu, Jun 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday joined the ‘drug-free’ padyatra (foot march) in border district of Poonch, marking the completion of the campaign’s outreach across all 20 districts of the Union Territory.

Describing the initiative as a people’s movement against substance abuse and narco-terrorism, Sinha reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to freeing Jammu and Kashmir from the scourge of drugs and securing a brighter future for its youth.

“Padyatra has covered all 20 districts of Union Territory (today) and the objective is clear to free the soil of Jammu Kashmir from scourge of drugs and to eliminate narco-terrorism,” Sinha said while leading the campaign in the Poonch.

He said the fight for a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir intensifies from Poonch.

“For next 43 days, every citizen, panchayat, and ward must unite to target drug smugglers, drug peddlers, drive awareness, and accelerate rehabilitation. Collective responsibility will build a healthier future,” he said.

During the past 57 days, the Lt governor said he had visited every district of the Union Territory and promised the people that the perpetrators harming the society would not go unpunished.

“Today, I assure all the citizens that we will light the lamp of a brighter future. In the next 43 days we must launch a massive movement in Poonch and across UT that will be dedicated to making every panchayat, every lane, and every household in the district drug-free,” Sinha said.

He said the people of Poonch know that, being a border district, narco-terrorists attempt to exploit the geography.

“Cross-border drug smuggling is destroying young lives and, at the same time, financing terrorism. We must confront this through a whole-of-society approach,” he said.

The Lt Governor said that confronting the drug menace requires a shift from indifference to action.

He said the ‘not-my-problem’ mindset only emboldens drug smugglers and drug peddlers, who rely on public silence to expand their networks.

“True change happens when communities stand united. A drug-free society is built by those who choose to speak up and act, recognising that this is a shared battle affecting us all. A prosperous society requires both economic progress and vigilant citizens,” he said.

To change mindsets and dismantle supply chains, the Lt Governor said the past 57-day campaign has cracked down hard on the drug network across J&K.

“Over 1,130 smugglers arrested under 1,038 FIRs, 63 detained under PIT-NDPS, and more than 100 properties attached. To completely immobilise these criminals, we have also cancelled 700 driving licenses and moved to revoke 130 passports,” the Lt Governor said.

He called for the ‘Drug-Free J&K’ campaign to reach every household and become a permanent part of public consciousness.

True prevention, he emphasized, lies in giving youth a purpose through education, skills, sports, and transforming them into the ultimate weapon against drug addiction.

“The strategy relies on two powerful pillars. First, mobilize Youth Clubs to act as the frontline defence against local drug networks, and putting women in leadership positions so mothers and sisters can drive the campaign to make every village drug-free,” the Lt Governor said.

Sinha announced that law enforcement agencies have been given a free hand to completely eradicate the narco-terror ecosystem.

Under a newly issued SOP, individuals involved in drug smuggling will face immediate, severe consequences and their passports, driving licenses, arms licenses, and Aadhar are being cancelled, while their movable and immovable assets are being attached under the NDPS Act.

“A drug-free Jammu and Kashmir will be born of this mass movement. J&K Police, law enforcement and narcotics agencies to ensure no drug smuggler or drug peddler operates within their jurisdiction.

“The road ahead is long, but we will not stop until every narco-terror network is dismantled. Our determination is unwavering, our unity invincible, and our mission is to win,” the Lt Governor said. (PTI)