Srinagar, Apr 25 (KNO): Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Saturday said all preparations have been put in place for a mega anti-drug rally scheduled to be held in Srinagar on May 3, 2026, under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan. He urged the people from all walks of life to participate in the movement against the growing drug menace.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a plantation drive here, the Div Com, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said plantation always sends a positive signal and protecting the environment is a shared responsibility of every citizen.
He congratulated the employees who took the initiative for organising the plantation drive and said the Government of India and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have consistently stressed the need to take special care of environmental protection, particularly in Kashmir.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “One Tree One Mother” initiative, he said Kashmir has taken a lead in the programme at the national level and encouraging participation has been witnessed from civil society in different areas.
Garg appealed to people to continue the momentum during the upcoming plantation season and in the run-up to World Environment Day in June by planting more trees and promoting eco-friendly practices such as reducing waste, maintaining cleanliness, conserving natural resources and saving water.
On the anti-drug campaign, he said the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan was launched by the Lieutenant Governor on April 11 from Jammu, where he personally led the campaign across the city.
"The movement has drawn participation cutting across political and party lines, with common masses, civil society members, media organisations, NGOs, religious leaders, industrial stakeholders and people from different sections of society joining hands against the drug menace," he said.
After launching the campaign from Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor travelled to several districts of Jammu province, where he motivated people and spread awareness regarding the dangers of substance abuse, Garg said.
He said awareness remains a key pillar of the campaign, alongside strict action against anti-social elements, drug peddlers and those pushing youth and children towards narcotics.
The Div Com said district administrations and police in Kashmir have already carried out several anti-drug activities over the last 20 days, adding that the focus is to collectively confront the problem as a society.
“For that, a similar campaign has been conceived in Srinagar on May 3, and I appeal to all of you to participate in it,” he said, adding that the May 3 event would only be a flag-off, after which the already announced 100-day programme would continue with intensified activities across Kashmir.
The Divisional Commissioner urged people to provide any information related to drug trafficking or peddling to control rooms established by district administrations and police helplines so that timely action can be taken.
The success of the campaign, he said, depends on public support and collective responsibility to save youth from the menace of drugs—(KNO)