Jammu: The district administration of Anantnag, in coordination with the police, is continuing with its strong anti-drug actions targetting drug peddlers almost on daily basis. On Friday, it carried out a demolition drive in Waghama, Bijbehara, under the ongoing 100-day “Nasha Mukt JK” campaign, targeting illegal structures linked to individuals booked under the NDPS Act.
So far, these properties had been identified and revenue records verified as part of due diligence to avoid any political or legal complications. The available evidence suggested that these had been built from proceeds to drug related activities over the last few years. Despite repeatedly being caught for infringements, the accused in these cases refused to mend their ways, according to officials.
During the joint operation, revenue officials, assisted by police personnel, demolished 15 illegal shops constructed on State and Kahcharai land (grasslands) falling under Khasra Nos. 2494 (min) and 2495 (min) in Estate Waghama. Officials said the structures were associated with persons involved in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The revenue department also reclaimed the encroached State and Kahcharai land during the drive, the officials added. In the next few days, signboards proclaiming all these lands as being owned by the government are likely to be erected on these locations.
Authorities said the action is part of sustained efforts under the “Nasha Mukt JK” campaign aimed at dismantling drug networks and their financial and physical infrastructure across the district. It was over three weeks ago that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had started this campaign with a mega rally taken out in Jammu. Mr Sinha had walked through main markets with thousands of people to spread awareness about the dangers the drugs posed to the society.
After that day, Mr Sinha has addressed and led many such rallies at Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and Samba districts. He has repeatedly stressed that those peddling drugs were no less dangerous than terrorists who carried guns. The drug peddlers killed our youth by making them addicts and destroy families and future, he has been saying at the rallies.
Reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy towards drug peddling and illegal encroachments, officials said such enforcement measures will continue to disrupt the narcotics supply chain in the region. The administration further warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in drug-related activities or illegal encroachments in future.
Meanwhile, LG Sinha on Saturday called upon people to join a mega padyatra in Srinagar on Sunday (May 3) aimed at strengthening the fight against drug abuse and promoting a healthier society. In a post on X, the Office of J&K LG, as per news agency JKNS, said that a powerful movement is emerging across the Union Territory (UT) to build a drug-free future.
It is only late on Friday evening that he reached Srinagar following the biannual Durbar Move which has been revived by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Sinhas said: “I’m witnessing a powerful movement across J&K to build a drug-free future. On May 3, a Mega Padyatra will take place at TRC Football Stadium, Srinagar.”
Sinha said that, “I urge all to join this march, stand together, and help create a safer, healthier Jammu and Kashmir for generations to come,” the post read.
The initiative is part of the broader campaign against drug abuse, with authorities encouraging public participation to make the movement more impactful and community-driven. By leading the rallies at all district headquarters personally, Mr Sinha wanted to send a clear message to law enforcement authorities not to condone any illegal activities of the drug peddlers.
