Srinagar, May 25:
Taking a fierce stand against the drug menace, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday declared an all-out war against drug cartels, stating that the administration will not stop until the entire narco-terror ecosystem is completely eliminated from the Union Territory.
Leading a massive anti-drug Padyatra (foot march) in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, LG Sinha rallied thousands of citizens, youth, and local officials to galvanize public support for the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan’. During the event, the LG also inaugurated the innovative Waqar Knowledge Centre (WKC), a dedicated facility designed to engage youth and integrate recovering individuals back into society.
“The action against narco-terrorists and drug smugglers will continue. It will not stop until every drug smuggler is eliminated from the sacred soil of Jammu Kashmir. Those who tried to destroy our families will have their existence erased from this land.” — LG Manoj Sinha
Key Highlights of the Government’s Anti-Drug Offensive
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Targeting the Network: Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have launched an unprecedented crackdown to trace and dismantle long-running drug cartels and hidden supply chains.
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No Safe Havens: The administration emphasized that no drug peddler or smuggler—no matter how deeply entrenched—is beyond the reach of the law.
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Impending Rehabilitation Policy: A comprehensive, structural rehabilitation policy is on the anvil to ensure trapped youth get a fair chance to rejoin the mainstream.
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Community-Led Vigilance: The LG called upon families, teachers, and religious leaders to partner with security forces to shield neighborhoods from infiltration.
Turning the Tide Against Decades-Old Cartels
Reflecting on a commitment made 45 days ago, LG Sinha noted that the battle is moving past just law enforcement into a full-scale social movement. “Drug cartels that thrived for decades are being wiped out,” he stated, adding that the true success of a ‘Drug-Free J&K’ will not just be counted by arrests, but by the number of lives rebuilt and families restored.
To ensure long-term stability for recovering youth, the administration plans to back the rehabilitation process with concrete job opportunities, skill development, and institutional support.
The Waqar Knowledge Centre: Reintegration in Action
To break the cycle of substance abuse, District Bandipora has pioneered the Waqar Knowledge Centre (WKC). This facility addresses the critical post-recovery phase, offering youth a constructive platform to discover educational and employment pathways.
