990 Samitis ignite people’s war against drugs in Jammu
*Over 35 lakh citizens join 72,243 awareness progs
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 17: In an unprecedented grassroot mobilisation against drug abuse, District Jammu has transformed its anti-narcotics campaign into a powerful people’s movement through the constitution of 990 Nasha Nigrani Samitis across villages and urban wards under the ongoing “100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan” and this initiative has led to registration of 68 FIRs, arrest of 89 drug peddlers and seizure of major narcotics.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the community-based anti-drug framework, established under the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor, has emerged as the backbone of the district’s prevention, awareness and rehabilitation-oriented strategy against narcotics, with active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, youth groups, women, teachers, ASHA workers, social activists and religious leaders.
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“The Nasha Nigrani Samitis are playing a pivotal role in generating awareness in villages and wards, identifying vulnerable youth, supporting counseling and rehabilitation efforts and creating sustained anti-drug vigilance at the grassroots level”, they said, adding “the Samitis have also strengthened coordination between the administration and police by sharing inputs regarding suspicious narcotics activities and through structured weekly reporting and rapid communication mechanisms”.
Stating that these Samitis are playing a transformational role by converting anti-drug efforts from a purely enforcement-oriented model into a participatory community movement, they said, “the initiative ensured grassroots ownership, real-time reporting, stronger public-administration coordination and sustainable anti-drug vigilance mechanisms”, adding “as a result of coordinated efforts of the administration, enforcement agencies and community-based Samitis, District Jammu has recorded substantial achievements under the campaign”.
As part of the campaign, a total of 72,243 awareness programmes were conducted across Jammu District, witnessing participation of more than 35.33 lakh citizens. All 305 Panchayats of the district have been covered under the initiative, reflecting extensive public mobilization.
“The campaign also witnessed active participation of religious and social institutions. Awareness and sensitization activities were conducted in 806 religious institutions, while 267 religious leaders actively participated in spreading anti-drug awareness messages”, they said, adding “the grassroots vigilance and information-sharing role of the Nasha Nigrani Samitis has considerably enhanced local-level intelligence generation and public responsiveness”.
Community cooperation contributed towards identification of drug hotspots, lodging of 68 FIRs against drug peddlers and arrest of 89 drug peddlers so far, they informed, adding the enforcement agencies also recovered substantial quantities of narcotic substances including 32 Kg and 439 grams of Ganja and 1 Kg and 599 grams of heroin. In addition, approximately 12,380 Kg of Lahan and 453 litres of illicit liquor were destroyed during enforcement operations.
The administration has also undertaken strict deterrent and regulatory action against persons involved in narcotics-related activities. During the campaign till now, 84 driving licences and 160 vehicle registration certificates were suspended, 17 Aadhaar-related recommendations were forwarded for further action, 5 drug store licences were suspended and 433 drug stores inspected.
“Illegal properties associated with narcotics activities were also attached, seized and 19 properties demolished under law as part of intensified enforcement measures”, sources said, adding “the Nasha Nigrani Samitis are not enforcement bodies but community support and vigilance platforms working towards prevention, awareness and rehabilitation-oriented intervention at grassroots level”.
“The constitution and operationalization of 990 Nasha Nigrani Samitis under the 100-day Nasha Mukt Abhiyan has emerged as a landmark community based intervention in District Jammu. The collective efforts of the administration, police, civil society and community stakeholders have significantly strengthened the mission towards achieving a Nasha Mukt Jammu, they said, adding “District Jammu remains committed to sustaining and further strengthening this people-centric anti-drug movement in the larger interest of youth, public health and social harmony”.
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