Bandipora, May 25: Saying that narco-terrorism and drug trafficking pose one of the biggest threats to Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the administration will not rest until drugs are completely eradicated from the Union Territory.
Addressing a large gathering at SK Stadium Bandipora during the Mega Padyatra organised under the ‘J&K Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’, the Lieutenant Governor said money generated through drugs is reaching terrorists and destroying families across Jammu and Kashmir.
“J&K faces the highest threat from narco-terrorism. Drug money is funding terrorism. Because of terrorism, hundreds of children have been orphaned and many innocent lives have been lost. We will make J&K drug-free and there will be no fear at all,” he said.
Despite unfavourable weather conditions, the Lieutenant Governor reached Bandipora and led the anti-drug campaign march. “When I came here the weather was unfavourable, but I still came,” he told the gathering.
He said people from every section of society are joining the anti-drug movement, including women, students, civil society members, NGOs, religious leaders, lawyers and common citizens.
Highlighting the government’s crackdown against drug peddlers, Manoj Sinha said that in the last 45 days alone, around 800 FIRs have been registered, nearly 950 people arrested in drug-related cases, while around 850 PIT-NDPS cases have also been registered.
“Our police force is fighting strongly against drug peddlers. Thousands have been arrested so far. Properties linked with drug networks are being attached while driving licences and passports are also being seized,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said there will be “no safe haven” for narco-terrorism and drug networks in Jammu and Kashmir. “We will not rest until this menace is completely eradicated,” he said.
He said the police and security agencies are systematically breaking the supply chain of narcotics across the Union Territory.
Referring to rehabilitation efforts, the Lieutenant Governor said youth trapped in drug addiction should be treated as victims and helped through counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
“We have to save our future and our youth. Those affected by drugs will be counselled and rehabilitated because they are victims,” he said.
Calling the anti-drug campaign a collective mission, Manoj Sinha said terrorism and drug trafficking can be defeated only when people stand united.
“When people join together, neither terrorism nor drug peddlers can affect us. This is not just a dream, it is a mission and the government will complete it,” he added.
A large number of people participated in the padyatra at SK Stadium Bandipora under the ongoing ‘100 Days Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan’ led by the Lieutenant Governor.(KNS)
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