Seeking support of the civil society in eradicating the drug menace, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said 350 FIRs have been registered and 440 drug traffickers arrested so far during the first 20 days of the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a gathering before participating in a foot-march against drugs in the district town of Doda, the Lieutenant Governor said the people’s movement against drug abuse reflects their determination and unity, and this menace can be eliminated when communities rise together and speak with one voice. He said narcotics smuggling is no less than terrorism and those involved will be given stringent punishment.
“I firmly believe that drug abuse is a form of silent terrorism, not merely a matter of law and order. The smuggling of narcotics represents terrorism in disguise. It is a hidden threat that devastates our youth, weakens families, and undermines the very foundations of society.
We have decided that drug traffickers in Jammu Kashmir will be treated under the law the same way terrorists are. They are enemies of society, enemies of humanity and enemies of our youth. We are committed to wiping out this threat,” he added.
He also stated that every drug smuggler, every local peddler, every member of a drug syndicate working to destroy the society will be identified and put behind bars. “We will not rest until the networks spreading this poison are completely dismantled,” the Lieutenant Governor asserted.
He observed that the path to success in this campaign is demanding, and the challenge is significant. He said of the 100-day effort, 80 days remain and each day is now vital.
The Lieutenant Governor also underscored the importance of public participation and said that this fight cannot rest on government machinery alone and society must actively participate. “In the remaining 80 days, a whole-of-government effort must confront and dismantle the web of drug addiction. This requires a change in mindset. Sometimes people say this is not my problem. This attitude must change. Drug smugglers thrive on public indifference and silence. We must remember: a drug-free society is built by those who resist this menace even when they are not directly affected. Every family must recognize that prosperity is not measured by economic growth alone, but by the vigilant and responsible choices of its citizens,” he said.