‘Narco-terror big challenge for internal security’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 3: Without naming Pakistan, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the neighbouring country has targeted youth of Jammu and Kashmir with drugs and asserted that designs of the “dangerous enemy” will be foiled.
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Addressing the participants of the ‘Padhyatra’ for Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir at Football Stadium Tourist Reception Centre here, Sinha said the “inimical neighbour” has targeted J&K’s youth by filling the streets here with drugs. “Government and security forces will foil the designs of the dangerous enemy,” he asserted.
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The LG said that the nexus between narcotic dealers and terrorists had become a challenge for the country’s internal security.
“Narco terrorists have targeted our most valuable asset, our youth. They flooded our streets with drugs. We are facing a dangerous enemy, our neighbour which gave birth to terrorism in the world,” he added.
Sinha described drug trafficking as “silent terrorism” and vowed that peddlers will be treated as “enemies of the nation” with no mercy under the law.
“This is not just a crime. This is terrorism – silent terrorism. It is poisoning lives, weakening families, and bleeding J&K dry,” he said.
“Terrorists and drug dealers share the common goal of disrupting the country’s peace, unity, and security. The proceeds of drug trade are used to fuel terrorism. The time to remain silent is over,” he added.
The LG issued a stern warning to narco-terror networks stating that drug syndicates, and anti-national elements time on Jammu Kashmir’s soil is over.
“Financial transactions of drug syndicates are being tracked. Each link of the network is being broken,” he said.
“Our agencies, our administration, and our people stand united to dismantle every smuggling ring and peddler operation. We are tracking the financial trails of drug cartels. Every link will be broken, every mechanism destroyed. I pledge to the people that every trafficker will be exposed, every criminal will face justice, and anyone, inside or outside Jammu Kashmir, who has aided the drug network will be held accountable under the full force of law,” he said.
Sinha said while the government, security forces and police are doing their job, the strongest weapon in the war on drugs is the people’s cooperation.
The anti-drug campaign, he said, has turned into a “Jan Andolan” in just 22 days. “This war is being fought in every home, every mohalla, every lane – because drugs are draining the life force of our youth. It is cry of every mother who has seen her child consumed by addiction, and solemn commitment of every father who has watched dreams collapse under weight of drug abuse,” he said.
The LG said 481 FIRs have been registered, 518 drug smugglers arrested, and 24 narco-properties attached – including in Kashmir districts. Nearly 300 driving licences suspended, five passports cancelled, 325 vehicles seized, and over 3,000 drug stores inspected.
Sinha warned that police stations will maintain photo galleries of peddlers and lookout notices will be issued against absconders. “Where there is guilt, there will be no mercy. Drug smugglers will be treated like enemies of the country,” he added
The LG called upon religious leaders, teachers, women and youth groups to act as the administration’s “eyes and ears”. “Prepare lists of drug traffickers. The time for silence is over,” he said, noting that over 70,000 people have already joined the movement.
Taking drugs is not “cool”, he added, stressing that addicts are victims who need treatment – but peddlers will face the strictest law. “The days of those trying to destroy Jammu and Kashmir are over. We have taken a pledge to make J&K drug-free – and we will achieve it.”
“Together, let us envision a Jammu Kashmir where no child is lost to drugs, no family is broken by addiction, no community suffers under traffickers, and every citizen thrives in health and strength,” he said.
“This is the vision we pursue, the dream we must fulfil, and the legacy we owe future generations. It is about Jammu Kashmir’s destiny, the society we aspire to build, the values we uphold, and the lives we safeguard. Today, let us pledge that we will not rest until Jammu Kashmir is completely drug-free,” the LG said.
Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, several MLAs, sportspersons and religious leaders were among thousands of people who participated in the function held at the football stadium at Tourist Reception Centre here.
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