Stressing the power of collective action, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said women, youth clubs and religious leaders have a crucial role in rescuing young people from drug addiction and rebuilding a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha was speaking while participating in the ‘Padyatra’ at Anantnag in south Kashmir as part of the “Drug-Free J&K Campaign.
He appealed to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs, urging all sections of society to speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction.
“The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a whole-of-society approach. From now on, every corner of the Union Territory, whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages, or theatre stages, should give a voice to the cause with firm resolve,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha said that in this war against drugs, administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism, and everyone should join hands to defeat it.
“Our neighbouring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu and Kashmir by design. 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 radicalisation. While drugs are ruining the future of Jammu Kashmir’s youth on one hand, on the other hand, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons that are shedding the blood of our brothers and sisters in the UT. This narco-terror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu and 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,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
“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, while eight driving licences and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. Thirteen drug stores have also been sealed for violating the law,” he said.
“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 and Kashmir drug-free. 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. I want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administration’s. It is a collective battle of society,” the LG said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor laid the foundation stone for various sports infrastructure development projects worth Rs 20.60 crore in the district.