Jammu, March 28 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, directed a large-scale crackdown on drug smuggling networks that target the youth of the Union Territory (UT).
L-G Sinha reviewed the progress of the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' (Drug-Free India Initiative) in Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan, Jammu.
"Deliberate and sinister efforts are being made to push the youth of Jammu and Kashmir into the abyss of drug addiction. A comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, combining stringent enforcement, robust preventive measures, and a carefully calibrated multi-pronged action plan, is urgently required to dismantle the entire ecosystem of drug smuggling and narco-terrorism," he said.
He called for 'Jan Bhagidari' (public participation) and a coordinated response against drug abuse to achieve the goal of 'Nasha Mukt' Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting discussed five key areas – Enforcement, Information, Education and Communication, Counselling, Treatment, and Rehabilitation, while integrating a rigorous social media monitoring system to counter false narratives.
The L-G directed officials to implement deterrent measures, especially within educational institutions, in a mission-mode.
He also directed for identifying and strictly punishing any remnants of narco-terror networks within the system.
L-G Sinha emphasised that citizens must be encouraged to report drug addiction and drug smuggling-related matters to the police and the UT administration.
He also reviewed the preparations of all the line departments for the upcoming intensive drug awareness campaign across Jammu and Kashmir.
"Religious leaders, social organizations, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Scouts and Guides, and political leaders must be taken onboard in the fight against drug addiction," the L-G said.
He directed for an assessment of activities conducted under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' over the past one year.
The meeting also discussed onboarding all the districts on the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Portal, engaging nodal officers, ongoing community outreach programmes, training and capacity building, strengthening and expansion of de-addiction infrastructure and human resources, operationalisation of Addiction Treatment Facilities, a drug de-addiction registry portal, implementation of standard operating procedures, and activities undertaken by the line departments.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the L-G directed senior officials to prioritize the Vibrant Villages Programme, with a dedicated focus on the inclusive development of border villages.
The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary (Home); Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; M. Raju, Commissioner Secretary to the J&K Health and Medical Education Department; Administrative Secretaries; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Sujit Kumar, IGP Security J&K; and other senior officials.
