L-G Manoj Sinha orders crackdown on drug networks, calls for ‘whole-of-government’ action

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday ordered a sweeping crackdown on drug smuggling networks targeting youth, as he chaired a high-level review of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for a “whole-of-government” strategy to dismantle narco-terror ecosystems.

“Deliberate and sinister efforts are being made to push the youth of Jammu and Kashmir into the abyss of drug addiction. A comprehensive, whole-of-government approach—combining stringent enforcement, robust preventive measures, and a carefully calibrated multi-pronged action plan—is urgently required to dismantle the entire ecosystem of drug smuggling and narco-terrorism,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

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He stressed the need for public participation and a coordinated response to achieve the goal of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting focused on five key areas—enforcement, IEC (Information, Education and Communication), counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation—while also emphasising the integration of a rigorous social media monitoring system to counter false narratives.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to implement deterrent measures, particularly within educational institutions, in mission mode. He also called for identifying and strictly punishing any remnants of narco-terror networks within the system.

Emphasising community involvement, he urged citizens to report cases related to drug addiction and smuggling to the police and administration. He also reviewed preparations by various departments for an upcoming intensive drug awareness campaign across the Union Territory.

“Religious leaders, social organisations, ex-servicemen, NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, and political leaders must be brought on board in the fight against drug addiction,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor further directed an assessment of activities carried out under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan over the past year.

The meeting also reviewed onboarding of all districts on the Nasha Mukt J&K Portal, engagement of nodal officers, community outreach programmes, training and capacity building, strengthening and expansion of de-addiction infrastructure, operationalisation of addiction treatment facilities, implementation of SOPs, and initiatives undertaken by various departments.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat; Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary (Home) Chandraker Bharti; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education M Raju; Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti; IGP Security J&K Sujit Kumar; and other senior officials.