PULWAMA, May 19, 2026 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday joined the people’s movement against drug abuse in Pulwama and called upon citizens to deliver the “final blow” against narcotics and the narco-terror network operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering during the ongoing Nasha-Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign, the Lieutenant Governor urged people to unite in order to protect the younger generation from addiction and dismantle the terror ecosystem linked to drug trafficking.
“This past month, Jammu Kashmir has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla, I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts, I saw young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that over the last 39 days, communities across Jammu and Kashmir have come together in an unprecedented manner, breaking the silence that had long surrounded the issue of drug abuse.
“Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fueled by fear, greed and destruction,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of the anti-drug campaign in Pulwama district, Sinha said more than 11,000 local events had been organised in recent days. He added that FIRs had been registered against 48 drug smugglers, while 56 traffickers had been arrested.
“These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor asserted that drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir could no longer be viewed merely as a local crime, describing drug traffickers and terrorists as “two sides of the same coin.”
“Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth, while terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation in Jammu Kashmir. Every deal made by a drug peddler not only ruins a young life but also finances violence against innocent citizens,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Sinha said the government was determined to eliminate drug smugglers and peddlers from Jammu and Kashmir.
He also issued a stern warning to the narco-terror ecosystem, stating that law enforcement agencies would continue pursuing traffickers relentlessly.
“We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests, but the complete destruction of the narco-terror empire and uprooting the poison spreading through society,” he said.
Officials said that since April 11, nearly 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested across Jammu and Kashmir. Recommendations have also been made to cancel the passports of 18 traffickers.
In addition, authorities have cancelled the driving licences of 382 traffickers and peddlers, while registrations of 386 vehicles have also been revoked. Officials further said that 49 immovable properties linked to traffickers have been seized and 45 properties demolished.
As part of the intensified crackdown, nearly 5,045 drug stores across Jammu and Kashmir have been inspected. Licences of 225 medical stores were suspended, licences of 27 stores cancelled, and FIRs registered against six establishments.
Officials said that since April 11, nearly 393,000 awareness and outreach programmes have been organised across the Union Territory, with millions of people participating in the campaign.
To strengthen grassroots monitoring and rehabilitation efforts, authorities have formed 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs across Jammu and Kashmir to help block drug trafficking networks and support rehabilitation initiatives.
More than 100 helpline calls related to addiction issues are being received daily, while over 52,000 patients have undergone treatment at addiction treatment facilities so far, officials added.
“As this 100-day campaign advances, we must fuel its momentum. Stay vigilant. Stay united. Stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the Valley,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
“A month ago, we dreamed of a drug-free Jammu Kashmir. Today, we are proving it is real,” he added.
