Jammu:
In a significant escalation of the Union Territory’s battle against narcotics, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today joined a massive Padyatra (foot march) in the border district of Rajouri. Addressing a public rally under the Drug-Free J&K Campaign, the LG declared a “total war” against the drug trade, describing it as an insidious weapon deployed by “our terrorist neighbour” to weaken the nation from within.
Crackdown by the Numbers
The LG highlighted the immediate impact of the 100-day crusade launched on April 11. In the Jammu Division alone, the J&K Police have shifted into high gear over the last week:
| Metric | Achievement (April 11–15) |
| FIRs Registered | 45+ |
| Smugglers Apprehended | 63 |
| Case Registration Rate | 3x Increase in 7 days |
| Target Areas | Schools, Pharmacies, Drug Agencies |
“A War Beyond Borders”
Speaking to a charged crowd, LG Sinha emphasized that the battle against addiction is as critical as any conventional conflict.
“Not all wars rage on borders. Some battles brew unseen. For years, countless families in Jammu Kashmir have fought addiction within their walls. We are determined to dismantle this trade and liberate society.”
He noted that Rajouri’s proximity to the border makes it particularly sensitive to cross-border smuggling. The LG linked the drug trade directly to the funding of terrorism, stating that the administration is committed to “breaking the back” of these networks within the next 100 days.
Prevention and Rehabilitation: The New SOP
The administration has crafted a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that no trafficker escapes the law while simultaneously offering a lifeline to victims. Key pillars of the strategy include:
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Aggressive Prevention: Reaching youth in schools, colleges, and playgrounds before drugs do.
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Total Rehabilitation: A full-spectrum approach covering detection, counseling, detox, and aftercare.
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Accountability: Weekly audits of rehabilitation success stories versus arrests.
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Strict Enforcement: Shuttering “fake” de-addiction centers and ensuring “exemplary punishment” for traffickers.
Community Empowerment: Sports and Culture
To provide the youth with constructive outlets, LG Sinha launched the Rajouri Premier League and the Rajouri Football Club under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan.
The event also featured a musical opera by local artists, poignantly depicting the devastating impact of substance abuse on families. Before concluding, the LG administered a mass Anti-Drug Pledge, calling on NGOs and social organizations to join the government in restoring the dignity of those affected.
