• 350 FIRs, 440 arrests in 20 days
• Warns of harsh punishment
Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that narcotics smuggling is “no less than terrorism” and warned of stringent punishment for those involved, asserting that the administration will deal with drug traffickers with the same seriousness as terrorists.
Addressing a gathering in Doda after launching the Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir Campaign, the Lieutenant Governor described drug abuse as a “form of silent terrorism” that goes beyond a law-and-order issue.
“The smuggling of narcotics represents terrorism in disguise. It is a hidden threat that devastates our youth, weakens families, and undermines the very foundations of society,” he said.
Sinha announced a tough policy stance, stating that drug traffickers in Jammu and Kashmir will be treated under the law on par with terrorists. “They are enemies of society, enemies of humanity and enemies of our youth. We are committed to wiping out this threat,” he added.
Reiterating the administration’s zero-tolerance approach, the Lieutenant Governor said every drug smuggler, local peddler, and member of drug syndicates would be identified and jailed. “We will not rest until the networks spreading this poison are completely dismantled,” he asserted.
Highlighting the scale of the ongoing crackdown, Sinha said that in the last 20 days alone, around 350 FIRs have been registered and 440 drug traffickers arrested with the support of the public.
Calling for a mass movement against drug abuse, he stressed the importance of public participation, saying the fight cannot rely solely on government machinery.
“Every citizen must take part in this Jan-Andolan. Drug smugglers thrive on public indifference and silence, and this mindset must change,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that 80 days remain in the 100-day anti-drug urging collective action to eliminate the menace and build a drug-free society. He also called upon educational institutions, civil society groups, and the media to actively support the campaign.
“When communities stay alert, they can resist infiltration. When society is vigilant, addiction cannot spread,” he added.
