Pulwama, May 19 (KNO): Likening drug smugglers to terrorists, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday urged people to unite to deliver the final blow against drug abuse and dismantle the narco-terror network to save the younger generation from addiction.
LG Sinha, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) joined people’s movement against drugs in this South Kashmir town and addressed the citizens. “For many decades drug smuggling in Jammu Kashmir was treated as mere local crime but now the people have realized that narcotic peddlers and terrorists are two sides of the same coin.”
“Drug smugglers profits by destroying the futures of our youth and the terror outfits uses that money to fuel terrorism and radicalization in Jammu Kashmir. Every deal a drug peddler makes not only wrecks a young life but also finances the killing of innocent citizens. When drug smugglers earn money, our youth lose their future and that money arm terrorists against innocents in Jammu Kashmir. That is why my resolve is unshakable and my promise firm that we will remove drug smugglers and peddlers from Jammu Kashmir's soil,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He warned the narco-terror ecosystem that they no longer can hide and the law enforcement agencies are on their trail. “We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of narco-terror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreads,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
“This past month, Jammu Kashmir has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts I saw young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that over the last 39 days, across different districts of Jammu Kashmir, neighbours became each other’s support and most importantly long-standing silence that hung over Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir began to break.
“Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fueled by fear, greed, and destruction. In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organized in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
It is pertinent to mention that since 11th April, about 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 traffickers. Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. Forty-nine immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished.
Across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions nearly 5,045 drug stores have been inspected; licenses of 225 drug stores have been suspended, licenses of 27 stores cancelled, and FIRs registered against 6 stores. From 11th April until now, 393,000 programs have been held throughout Jammu and Kashmir, with millions taking part through awareness and outreach activities. To strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across Jammu and Kashmir, to block drug trafficking and ensure rehabilitation of those trapped by addiction. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far.
“As this 100-days campaign advances, we must fuel its momentum. Stay vigilant. Stay united. I want people of Jammu Kashmir to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley. Together, we will break addiction’s chains in Jammu Kashmir, end terrorism, and light up our streets, homes, and future. A month ago, we dreamed of a drug free Jammu Kashmir. Today, we are proving it is real,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also pointed to the lavish lifestyles and illegal wealth accumulated by traffickers, saying such fortunes had been built “on the tears and destruction of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Assuring the public that innocent people would not be harassed during anti-drug operations, the Lieutenant Governor said law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure fairness, accountability and transparency during the campaign.
“No innocent person was touched, nor will any innocent be targeted during this campaign. If anyone believes an innocent person has been wrongly implicated, they should directly contact the IGP Kashmir, and I assure you action will be taken,” he said—(KNO)