Jammu, April 18 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Saturday joined a ‘Padyatra’ under drug-free Jammu and Kashmir campaign in Rajouri district, officials said.

Officials added that the L-G joined the Padyatra and addressed a public rally in Rajouri under Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir campaign.

The Lieutenant Governor said that border district Rajouri is sensitive and prone to cross-border drug smuggling.

“But we are determined to crush these challenges, dismantle the drug trade and liberate society from addiction. From April 11, Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched a relentless crackdown in Jammu division. More than 45 FIRs were filed, 63 smugglers nabbed and massive drug hauls seized between the April 11 and 15,” he added.

He said that regular checks are now covering schools, pharmacies, drug agencies and this drive will continue relentlessly.

He emphasised that not all wars rage on borders, adding that some battles brew unseen and for years, countless Jammu and Kashmir families have fought addiction within their walls and many have lost loved ones to it.

“On April 11, from the hallowed grounds of Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium, we sounded the clarion call to total war by launching a resolute 100-day crusade against drug addiction.”

“I believe addiction is no mere personal failing but it’s a gaping wound in our society’s fabric. Our terrorist neighbour deploys it as an insidious weapon, nurturing terror through drug smuggling and eroding our nation’s strength from within.”

“We shall prevail in this battle by uniting as one and every citizen rising with unyielding resolve,” the L-G said.

He added that the cases registered before April 11 have witnessed a three-time increase in last seven days.

“In 100 days, we must completely break the back of drug networks. When the power of society and the might of the administration come together, neither smugglers nor criminals will be spared,” the L-G said.

L-G Sinha also highlighted that prevention anchors Drug-Free J&K campaign and he considers that prevention is mightier than any cure in such cases.

He said we must reach our children before drugs do, igniting awareness and self-respect in every school, college, playground, and community hub.

He also called upon Jammu and Kashmir Police and other enforcement agencies to ensure exemplary punishment for drug smugglers.

“Make sure no culprit escapes. We should unleash exemplary crackdowns on traffickers poisoning our youth. Those ruining generations won’t slip away,” the L-G said, adding that administration has crafted a standard operating procedure to obliterate drug smugglers networks and ensuring swift justice.

He said: “From detection and counselling to detox, rehab, and aftercare, our pledge is total rehabilitation.”

He asked the officials to audit weekly activities, including list of rehabbed lives, list of arrested smugglers while ensuring that fake centres are closed.

“We will restore the people’s dignity, reconnect them to our shared society, and unleash their potential to build Rajouri’s brighter future. This mission demands more than government efforts.”

“I call upon every social organisation and NGOs to join us in this noble endeavour,” the L-G said.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor administered the Anti-Drug pledge and also launched Rajouri Premier League and Rajouri Football Club under the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan’.

Artists through Musical opera spread awareness on the devastating impacts of substance abuse.

–IANS

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