Budgam: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said drug trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir is closely linked to terror funding and accused neighbouring Pakistan of pushing narcotics into the region to destabilise society.
Addressing an anti-drug padyatra in Budgam district of central Kashmir, Sinha, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the fight against narcotics goes beyond a social campaign.
“Drug abuse is destroying our younger generation and severely affecting their self-confidence. More importantly, terrorism is often funded through narcotics. The entire world knows that Pakistan is pushing this drug menace into our region to fuel and finance terrorism,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of action taken so far, Sinha said that in the past 24 days, security agencies across the Union Territory have registered 481 FIRs and arrested over 500 individuals involved in drug-related activities.
“Their properties are being seized and the entire financial network linked to drug trafficking is under strict surveillance,” he said, adding that authorities are targeting both street-level peddlers and major drug kingpins.
“Not a single smuggler will escape. Our agencies know who you are, and strict action will follow,” he warned.
The LG said stringent administrative measures are also being enforced to curb the menace.
“Driving licences, passports, Aadhaar cards and other official documents of those involved in drug smuggling will be cancelled as per the SOPs issued,” he said, adding that the process to suspend around 290 driving licences has already begun.
He further said medical shops and pharmaceutical supply chains are under close monitoring to prevent misuse and diversion of drugs.
At the same time, Sinha stressed the need for compassion and rehabilitation for those suffering from addiction.
“These are our own children—our sons and daughters. They need care, understanding and proper rehabilitation,” he said—(KNO)
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