People should break the silence against drug abuse and join hands in a collective movement to protect the younger generation from addiction. Women and youth were most important and their roles cannot be emphasised enough, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said at an anti-drug rally on Saturday. The rally was organised in South Kashmir district of Anantnag of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir.
The walkathon was organised under the 100-day ‘Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir – NashaMuktAbhiyan’ campaign started on April 11 from Jammu. There was an overwhelming participation from students, traders, transporters, civil society groups, voluntary organisations, religious groups, tribal representatives, teachers, and government officials.
The participants assembled at Shaheed Muzamil Memorial Government Degree College (Boys), Khanabal, from where the Padyatra started before moving towards Khannabal-Pahalgam (KP) Chowk amid anti-drug slogans and placards carrying messages such as ‘No to Drugs, Save Life’. In the last few years, Khannabal has seen lesser footfall as alternative road to Srinagar has come up.
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha said drug addiction could only be tackled through collective social responsibility and sustained public participation.
“The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a whole-of-society approach. Schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, villages and wards must raise a united voice against drugs with firm resolve,” he said. Teachers, parents, religious leaders, and youth groups had a crucial role in spreading awareness and helping rehabilitate those affected by addiction, he added.
He also linked the narcotics trade to terrorism, alleging that our neighbour (a clear reference to Pakistan) was attempting to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir by pushing drugs into the region. “Drug money is financing terrorism and radicalisation. On one side drugs are destroying the future of our youth, and on the other, terror outfits are using this money to buy weapons that spill the blood of innocent people,” LG Sinha said.
Describing narco-terrorism as a long-standing challenge in J&K, he said the administration would continue its crackdown on drug networks. According to the LG, authorities have registered 108 NDPS cases in Anantnag district since April 11.
He said properties worth Rs 3.5 crore allegedly created through drug money had been demolished, while 22 vehicles were seized, eight driving licences and vehicle registrations cancelled, and 13 drug stores sealed for violations. “Not a single drug smuggler will be spared and the entire machinery involved in drug trafficking will be uprooted,” LG Sinha said.
He also laid the foundation stone for sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 20.60 crore in Anantnag district. The projects include development of Khel Gaon modern sports infrastructure and Khel Bhawan at Jablipora in Bijbehara, expansion of sports facilities at Chaki-Kamal Monghal, reconstruction of the sports complex at Nillandrusu in Bijbehara, and construction of a stadium at Harmohalla Ranbirpora.
The LG said the facilities would help channelise the energy of youth in a positive direction and strengthen discipline and sportsmanship. He said that all sections of society must speak in one voice about the dangers of drug addiction.
“The challenge of drug addiction can be eradicated only through a ‘Whole of Society Approach’. From now on, every corner of J&K, whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages, or theater stages, should give a voice to the cause with firm resolve,” Mr Sinha said.
In this war against drugs, administration and society must understand the link between drugs and terrorism and everyone should join hands to defeat it. “Our neighboring country is smuggling drugs into Jammu Kashmir by design. The drug money has been used to build narco-palaces by drug smugglers and a large portion of drug money is being used for terrorism and radicalisation. This narco-terror network has inflicted suffering on generations of Jammu Kashmir for decades. That is why I always say: drug addiction and terrorism are not separate challenges but they are two faces of the same problem. And I promise all of you that we will not rest until we defeat it,” the LG said.
He called upon the police and civil administration to cover every panchayat of Anantnag, and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in next days of campaign. “A decisive blow is being dealt to the drug smugglers’ network in Anantnag district. Since 11th April, the highest number of 108 NDPS cases have been registered in Anantnag. Narco-palaces worth Rs 3.5 crore, built with the black money from drugs, have been reduced to dust. Twenty-two vehicles have been seized, eight driving licenses and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. Thirteen drug stores have been sealed for violating the law. I assure the people of Anantnag that not a single smuggler will be left untouched, and the entire machinery involved in the drug smuggling will be uprooted from its roots,” LG Sinha said.
He said that the women and youth were the greatest strength of this war on drugs. The LG said if a family member or a neighbor’s youth is going astray, women and youth club members should bring them back onto the path of correction, and seek the administration’s help if needed.
“I appeal to sportspersons, teachers, and all religious leaders to dedicate the next 71 days with wholehearted commitment to the awareness and rehabilitation campaign, and to pledge to make Jammu Kashmir drug-free. Religious leaders are regarded as the people’s leaders and guides. I want them to provide spiritual and moral guidance to the youth and to warn them about the dangers of drugs. I firmly believe that when the people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold,” he said.
LG Sinha also reiterated his commitment to ensure justice to every terror victim family. He said that these sports facilities would channel the energy of the youth in the right direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanship.
The LG also felicitated the youth icons and distributed sports kits to the youth.
Senior civil and police officers, including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, Inspector General of Police (IGP) V K Birdi, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Kashmir Javid Iqbal Matoo and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) AnantnagAmod Ashok Nagpure, participated in the rally.
Political leaders and legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party including Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Shaheena Nadaf, Muhamad Amin Bhat, Sofi Yousuf, and Rafiq Wani-also joined the march.
Students performed skits, awareness songs and street plays highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse, while artists staged traditional performances including Nukad Natak, Bhaand Pather, and mime acts as part of the awareness drive.
“We want young people to focus on studies and sports and stay away from addiction. Youth themselves have to lead this fight,” said one of the student participants. Traders Federation Chairman Sajad Ahmad said the business community would support all efforts aimed at curbing drug abuse.
“This menace is affecting families across society. Everyone has to contribute towards saving the younger generation,” he said.
Farooq Ahmad, a tribal representative who attended the rally, said people from tribal areas were equally concerned about the increasing drug abuse among youth. “The campaign has created awareness among people and tribal communities are ready to support every initiative against drugs,” he said.
Artists through traditional NukadNatak, BaandPather and a Mime play centered on the NashaMukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, encouraging young people to stay healthy and contribute to a drug-free society.
DC Anantnag Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat thanked people for participating in large numbers and said the response reflected a collective resolve against drug abuse.
“The campaign has reached villages and panchayats across the district. Today’s participation shows people want to fight this menace together,” he said.
