‘Pak smuggles drugs into J&K’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that Pakistan is smuggling drugs into Jammu and Kashmir and warned drug traffickers that their narco-palaces will be razed and networks uprooted.
Addressing a public gathering here in Anantnag, Sinha said that Pakistan is smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir by design.
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“The drug money has been used to build narco-palaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalization,” he said.
The LG said that while drugs are ruining the future of Jammu Kashmir’s youth on one hand, on the other, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons and that sheds the blood of innocents in J&K.
“This narco-terror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu Kashmir for decades. That is why I always say: drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges but they are two faces of the same problem. And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat it,” he added.
Sinha joined Padyatra at Anantnag as part of “Drug-Free J&K Campaign” and walked with thousands of participants along the streets of the town.
The LG called upon police and civil administration to cover every panchayat of Anantnag, and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in next 71 days of campaign.
“A decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglers’ network in Anantnag district. Since 11th April, the highest number of 108 NDPS cases have been registered in Anantnag. Narco-palaces worth Rs. 3.5 crore, built with the black money from drugs, have been reduced to dust. Twenty two vehicles have been seized, 8 driving licenses and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. Thirteen drug stores have been sealed for violating the law.”
“I assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched, and the entire machinery involved in the drug smuggling will be uprooted from its roots,” he said.
Sinha stated that the women and youth are the greatest strength of this war on drugs. He said if a family member or a neighbor’s youth is going astray, women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction, and seek the administration’s help if needed.
“I appeal to sportspersons, teachers, and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign, and to pledge to make Jammu Kashmir drug-free”, he added.
“Religious leaders are regarded as the people’s leaders and guides. I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and to warn them about the dangers of drugs,” he said.
“I want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administration’s. It is a collective battle of society. Let’s make a collective promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighborhoods. We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugs. I firmly believe that when the people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold,” he added.
The LG appealed to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs and all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction.
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