Jammu, April 24: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday sounded the alarm over the drug menace, declaring that substance abuse is "eroding the very foundations of society from within" as he formally launched the 'Drug-Free J&K Campaign' in Reasi. The initiative, which has been active for 12 days since April 11, aims to mobilise communities, institutions, and individuals into a unified people's movement against narcotics across the Union Territory.

Campaign Achievements in 12 Days

In just under a fortnight, the anti-drug drive has already delivered measurable results across the Jammu division. Between April 11 and April 22, enforcement agencies registered a large number of cases, arrested several drug smugglers, and seized narcotics valued at nearly Rs 3 crore.

Additionally, movable and immovable properties worth approximately Rs 1 crore were attached from drug traffickers. Properties belonging to drug smugglers have also been demolished as part of zero-tolerance enforcement.

On the administrative front, authorities cancelled 187 driving licences and four vehicle registrations, initiated financial investigations against 48 drug peddlers, and revoked 15 drug-store licences following inspections of chemist shops. Drug users have been referred to de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, with counselling services extended to those affected.

Women at the Forefront of the Anti-Drug Movement

One of the most significant structural outcomes of the campaign has been the formation of 1,947 women committees across districts in the Jammu division since April 11. L-G Sinha underscored the central role of women in this battle, calling mothers and sisters "the moral bedrock of our society."

"We must build a historic movement, one that rises from homes, schools, mohallas, and communities — a movement that begins with open, honest dialogue in towns and villages. With their help, we can win this battle," the L-G stated.

The emphasis on women-led community vigilance reflects a broader strategy to make the campaign self-sustaining at the grassroots level, moving beyond purely law-enforcement approaches.

Drug Traffickers and Terror Nexus: L-G's Warning

L-G Sinha made a pointed observation that drew national security implications into the anti-drug narrative. He explicitly stated that drug traffickers and terrorists operate hand in hand and must be treated as "allies in crime" by police and enforcement agencies.

"Our response should be decisive, thorough, and unyielding. Every route drug smugglers exploit should be watched, every financial chain should be dismantled, and every asset stripped away until their networks are completely destroyed," he said.

He further revealed that more than two dozen drug traffickers have already been identified and are being tracked. Thousands of drug peddlers across the Jammu division remain under active surveillance. Security checks have been intensified around schools, colleges, and other vulnerable areas to protect the youth.

Call for a Broader People's Movement — 'Nasha-Mukt J&K'

The L-G acknowledged that for more than a decade, Jammu and Kashmir endured a heavy silence around the drug menace, and this campaign was launched to shatter that silence. He invoked constitutional values, the rule of law, and the spirit of 'Jan Bhagidari' (public participation) as pillars of the 'Nasha-Mukt J&K' campaign.

"Drugs are a wound in the heart of our society. To heal this wound, we require a people's movement that mobilises the full strength of society to eradicate drugs at their roots," the L-G said.

He made a direct appeal to NGOs, social workers, spiritual leaders, and educators to join the campaign in cities and villages alike, calling them "frontline guardians of this mission."

Broader Context: Why This Campaign Matters Now

The launch of the Drug-Free J&K Campaign comes amid growing concern across India about the narcotics pipeline flowing through the India-Pakistan border, particularly through Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. Intelligence reports have long flagged the use of drug money to fund cross-border terrorism, making the drug-terror nexus a dual national security and public health crisis.

Notably, J&K has witnessed a sharp rise in drug-related cases over the past several years, with the NDPS Act registrations increasing significantly post-2019 reorganisation of the UT. The current crackdown — combining financial investigations, property attachment, licence cancellations, and community mobilisation — signals a more holistic approach compared to earlier enforcement-only models.

Critics and policy analysts have long argued that sustainable anti-drug campaigns require equal investment in rehabilitation infrastructure, education, and economic alternatives for vulnerable youth — dimensions that the 'Nasha-Mukt J&K' initiative appears to be attempting to address through its community-committee model.

As the campaign moves beyond its initial 12-day phase, the administration is expected to expand the drive to the Kashmir division with similar intensity. The coming weeks will test whether the momentum can be sustained and whether the 1,947 women committees can evolve into permanent watchdog structures at the village level.