J&K L-G Manoj Sinha leads anti-drug padyatra in Baramulla
Synopsis
J&K L-G Manoj Sinha took the 'Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir' campaign to the streets of Baramulla, announcing two new community-driven pillars — a Community Immunisation Program and a Family Fortress Initiative — for the next 69 days. With 700 arrests, 2,35,000 outreach events, and 3,000 CCTV cameras deployed in just 31 days, the administration is framing this as a historic people's movement.
Key Takeaways
L-G Manoj Sinha led an anti-drug padyatra in Baramulla on 12 May 2025 as part of the 'Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir' campaign.
Two new pillars launched for the next 69 days : the Community Immunisation Program targeting 5–10 hotspot areas per district , and the Family Fortress Initiative promoting weekly family dialogues.
In the past 31 days , more than 2,35,000 outreach events held and nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers arrested.
More than 3,300 drug stores inspected; 150 licences suspended ; nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras installed at stores across the UT.
Nearly 3,000 tele-Manas counselling calls received in 31 days ; administration stresses rehabilitation with dignity over stigma.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday, 12 May led a padyatra in Baramulla town as part of the 'Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir' campaign, engaging directly with residents and announcing two new pillars to intensify the drive over the next 69 days. The initiative marks one of the most visible public mobilisations against narcotics in the Union Territory in recent memory.
Two New Pillars of the Campaign
L-G Sinha announced the launch of the Community Immunisation Program and the Family Fortress Initiative as the campaign's next phase. The Community Immunisation Program will partner with religious leaders and social groups to target 5 to 10 high-risk hotspot areas per district, drawing an analogy to public health vaccination drives.
Point of View
35,000 outreach events and 700 arrests in 31 days — is striking, but the real test lies in sustainability. J&K has seen enforcement-heavy anti-drug drives before; what distinguishes this one, at least in framing, is the deliberate pivot toward community immunisation and family-level intervention. Whether religious institutions and schools can maintain weekly dialogues beyond the 69-day campaign window is the accountability question the administration has yet to answer. The tele-Manas counselling uptake of 3,000 calls is a quiet but significant signal — demand for mental health support around addiction is real, and if the state can institutionalise that infrastructure, the campaign's legacy could outlast its headlines.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir' campaign?
It is an ongoing administration-led initiative to combat drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu and Kashmir, combining enforcement action against smugglers with community awareness, rehabilitation support, and outreach events. L-G Manoj Sinha has been leading the drive publicly, including through padyatras in high-risk areas.
What are the Community Immunisation Program and Family Fortress Initiative?
These are two new pillars announced by L-G Sinha on 12 May 2025 for the campaign's next 69-day phase. The Community Immunisation Program targets 5–10 drug hotspot areas per district through partnerships with religious leaders and social groups, while the Family Fortress Initiative promotes weekly family and community dialogues on drugs at schools, colleges, and places of worship.
How many arrests and outreach events have taken place in 31 days?
According to L-G Sinha, nearly 700 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested and more than 2,35,000 awareness and outreach events held across Jammu and Kashmir in the past 31 days. Over 44,000 OPD patients have also been treated during the same period.
What enforcement actions have been taken against drug smugglers' assets?
Authorities have seized properties worth crores built from drug money, recommended cancellation of 300 driving licences and over 400 vehicle registrations, and detained over two dozen smugglers under the PIT-NDPS Act. Nearly 3,000 CCTV cameras have been installed at drug stores, and 150 store licences have been suspended for violations.
How does the administration plan to handle drug addicts?
L-G Sinha has emphasised a science-based, stigma-free approach, calling for addicts to be treated and rehabilitated with dignity rather than shamed. The campaign has recorded nearly 3,000 tele-Manas counselling calls in 31 days, reflecting growing public use of mental health support services.
