Srinagar, May 9: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday joined Padyatra at Anantnag as part of “Drug-Free J&K Campaign”.

Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to the people to break the silence to win this war against drugs and 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 Union Territory, whether schools, colleges, families, sports grounds, wards, villages, or theater stages, should give a voice to the cause with firm resolve,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He 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 radicalization. While drugs are ruining the future of Jammu Kashmir's youth on one hand, on the other, terror outfits are using that money to buy weapons and that are shedding the blood of our brothers and sisters in the UT,” he said.
“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 Lieutenant Governor said.
He called upon police and civil administration to cover every panchayat of Anantnag, and especially reach out to vulnerable areas of the district in the next 71 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. 22 vehicles have been seized, 8 driving licenses and vehicle registrations have been cancelled. 13 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,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He stated that the women and youth are the greatest strength of this war on drugs. “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,” he said.
Sinha said 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 want to reiterate that this battle is not just the administration’s. It is a collective battle of society. Let’s make a collective promise that we will not allow drug peddlers to thrive in our villages and neighborhoods. We will rehabilitate the youth who are victims of drugs. I firmly believe that when people stand up for a purpose, their power increases a thousandfold”.
The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated his commitment to ensure justice to every terror victim family.
On the occasion, Sinha laid the foundation stone for various sports infrastructure development projects worth Rs 20.60 crore in the District. These include Khel Gaon Modern Sports Infrastructure and residential facility (Khel Bhawan) Stage-I at Jablipora; Expansion of Sports Facilities at Chaki- Kamal Monghal; Reconstruction of Sports complex at Nillandrusu and development of stadium at Harmohalla Ranbirpora.
The Lieutenant Governor said that these sports facilities will channel the energy of the youth in the right direction and strengthen the spirit of discipline and sportsmanship.
He also felicitated the youth icons and distributed sports kits to the youth.
Artists through traditional Nukad Natak, Baand Pather and a Mime play centered on the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan raised awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, encouraging young people to stay healthy and contribute to a drug-free society.