‘Drug trafficking linked to terror funding’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today stressed collective efforts in the war against narcotics and said that drug trafficking is linked to the terror funding.
Addressing a huge gathering in Budgam this morning, the LG said that it must be remembered that the fight against drugs is also a fight against terror.
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“The entire world knows that our neighbour, a major patron of terrorism, is smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir. Drug trafficking and terror funding are no longer separate issues-they are two hands of the same enemy. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation,” he said.
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Sinha assured the citizens that every arm of administration would act with resolve and unity to confront the issue and ensure that the threat is effectively eliminated.
The LG announced an informal ‘Parents Brigade’ in every village and city, wherever possible. He said the aim is to create a voluntary network of parents, women and youth who will be trained and empowered to identify early signs of drug use in villages or wards, and to immediately connect families with resources.
Sinha appealed to every family, social organization, spiritual and political leaders in Budgam to intensify the drug-free J&K campaign across the district and assured them that the administration and its full strength is committed to eradicating drugs.
The LG said the entire district of Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs that is destroying the souls of our youth.
“I believe that every young person lost to addiction is a loss of strength for our future workforce, and a lost soldier for our police and army. Every family broken by addiction is a crack in the foundation of our society,” he said.
Sinha observed that in this war against drugs, society must accept the truth that many boys and girls are in the grip of narcotics. He said there is no harm in accepting this, as they are our own children. They are victims, not criminals, and they need our embrace, compassion and care.
“Furthermore, the public must eliminate the stigma, so that if a family is suffering, they do not have to endure the pain in silence. This tradition must change because today’s circumstances are such that silence will not defeat this; the public must raise its voice,” he added.
The LG stated that drug addiction is not just a health issue; it is also a crisis of national security. He said drugs entering into our society do not only hollow out the aspirations of our youth and damage their self-confidence, but the drug trade is also funding terrorism and radicalization.
“The law enforcement agencies alone cannot win this war; the administration alone cannot win it. But together, every teacher, parent, spiritual leader, elder, doctor, youth and woman becomes an invincible force, and I have full faith that Budgam will carry this campaign forward with this spirit,” he said.
He said in this 100-days campaign, people have 76 days left and in these 76 days, we must prove that when society decides to fight against a social evil, every citizen wins.
“I have directed every police station in the Kashmir Valley to gather full information on active drug smugglers and peddlers in their jurisdiction and take decisive action within 30 days. We are monitoring every financial transaction of drug cartels, and action will be ensured not just against small-time peddlers but against major smugglers. The palaces built with drug money will be razed to the ground,” the LG said.
He also urged every citizen to participate actively in the awareness campaign and become the eyes and ears of the police and administration.
“If you see any suspicious activity in any corner of Budgam, report it immediately. With your cooperation, it will be ensured that no drug peddler can remain around any village, neighbourhood, or college in Budgam. I want to tell the drug smugglers, elements linked to the narco-terror network, and drug peddlers active in Budgam that your time on the soil of Budgam has ended. Our agencies know who you are. Our administration is coming after you, and today I promise every resident of Budgam that not a single drug smuggler will escape accountability,” he said.
Sinha said that in the past 24 days, security agencies across Jammu and Kashmir have registered almost 481 FIRs and arrested more than 500 individuals involved in drug-related activities.
“Their properties are being seized and the entire financial network linked to drug trafficking is under strict surveillance,” he said, adding that authorities are targeting both street-level peddlers as well as major drug kingpins.
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