Jammu Kashmir Declares All-Out War On Drug Smugglers; LG Orders To Confiscate Assets

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday directed officers to confiscate passports, Aadhaar cards, and property and to freeze the bank accounts of all individuals involved in drug smuggling and trafficking.

Sinha made these remarks while launching the 100-day drug-free campaign in Jammu and Kashmir at Maulana Azad Stadium and participating in a Padyatra (foot march) against drug abuse. The event was attended by thousands, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, ministers, bureaucrats, police officers, and others.

Addressing the gathering, the LG issued a stern warning to drug smugglers and peddlers and pledged a determined fight to eradicate this menace from Jammu and Kashmir. “Those who destroy society will face the full and uncompromising weight of the law. Our neighbour is using cross-border smuggling to poison our communities and undermine our nation’s future. Every officer carries one obligation: this must stop. The full force of the law is now directed at smugglers. Their networks will be dismantled without delay,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha flagging off march against drug abuse (Lok Bhavan Jammu and Kashmir)

“The drug smugglers’ assets will be seized, ringleaders prosecuted, and punishment will be delivered swiftly. The administration will confiscate all property and revoke licences, passports, and Aadhaar and freeze bank accounts of all those involved. This crackdown against drug smugglers will echo through generations,” the LG said.

Sinha announced that he had issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) against drug traffickers, under which a crucial decision to revoke passports, driving licences, Aadhaar numbers, and arms licences of smugglers involved in drug trafficking is made. “If they are absconding, a look-out circular will be issued immediately. Their movable and immovable properties will be attached under the NDPS Act, bank accounts frozen, and a financial investigation will be launched,” he said.

Maintaining that the next three months are important with regard to the campaign, Sinha called for reaching every nook and corner of the union territory to fulfil the pledge of a drug-free J&K.

“During these 100 days, the campaign will advance in six clear phases, which include awareness-intensive drives, youth-focused events, community engagement, strict enforcement, rehabilitation and evaluation. We will move forward with the whole-of-government approach to rid J&K of the drug menace,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Padyatra (foot march) against drug abuse led by Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha. (Lok Bhavan Jammu and Kashmir)

“The drug menace will not be seen merely through the graphics, numbers and percentages, but our approach will be humane and will not let any family, youth or dream fall into a dark abyss of addiction. There are struggles for families and parents, and every case has its own story of agony, and administration will not let any family fall into this trap,” he added.

He called for a collective campaign to end this menace and said that the drug menace is a crisis, and everybody has to contribute to put an end to this. He termed this Jammu and Kashmir’s gravest challenge, where the administration is committed to emerging victorious.

The lieutenant governor directed the senior officers for swift action on complaints and strengthening of grassroots intelligence with the help of panchayats, mohalla committees, chowkidars, lambardars and ward surveillance committees to identify and punish every culprit.

Sinha has also reached out to political parties for joining crusade against drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. In a two-page letter sent by Lok Bhavan to legislators, LG Sinha said that fight against growing drug addiction is contingent upon the adoption of a ‘whole-of-government approach’, bringing institutional strength of the administration under a unified mission-oriented framework.

“Drug menace is not a challenge that any single department can address in isolation. It demands convergence of the departments of Home, Health, Education, Social Welfare and all other relevant agencies, galvanised by political will and administrative resolve at the highest level,” said Sinha.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha addressing gathering at the launch of drug-free campaign (Lok Bhavan Jammu and Kashmir)

This is the first time all 90 elected MLAs have been invited for their participation to fight against the drug addiction that has reached epidemic proportions in the region.

A parliamentary panel report in 2023 had revealed that 13.5 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir, or 10 per cent of the Union Territory's population, use drugs including heroin and opioids. Of them, five lakh addicts have been classified as opioid users.

National Conference legislator Tanvir Sadiq, who moved a private member’s bill in the J&K legislative assembly for setting up an anti-drug addiction and rehabilitation policy, hailed the move of involving legislators.

“Drug addiction is a big problem for our society, and legislators bring real change to the ground. Youngsters are getting involved in it, and it is the duty of everyone from the clergy to welfare committees to campaign against this menace,” he told ETV Bharat.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-Ur-Rehman, however, said the issue of drug addiction requires more than just participation.

“Drug addiction is growing, and it is a big concern. Mere statements would not help. There needs to be a policy for de-addiction and rehabilitation for drug addicts. "People working on the ground for deaddiction need hand-holding," he said, adding that the government should have supported the anti-liquor bill in the assembly to send a message.

Also Read

1. Drug-Free Campus Mission Launched Across Karnataka; State Aims to Lead Nation in Organ Donation
2. Two Punjab Youths Held For Suspicious Activities Near Indo-Pak Border In Bikaner; One Found Wearing BSF Uniform
3. Mumbai–Ratlam Police Joint Operation Nets 10 Kg MD Drugs Worth Rs 20 Crore; Two Traffickers Arrested