“Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the growing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir is directly linked to terrorism and radicalisation, asserting that narcotics money is being used to fund terror networks and recruit youth. He said drugs are being smuggled from across the border through multiple routes, including drone-dropping methods.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has described the growing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir as not merely a law-and-order challenge but a major national security threat directly linked with terrorism, radicalisation and cross-border destabilisation efforts. In an interview during his ongoing anti-drug outreach campaign, the Lieutenant Governor presented a comprehensive picture of the administration’s strategy to tackle narcotics trafficking, strengthen security mechanisms, rehabilitate addicts, develop border regions and accelerate socio-economic transformation across the Union Territory. The interview came amid the administration’s intensified “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan,” which has evolved into one of the largest public campaigns launched in recent years against substance abuse in the region. Sinha said the movement emerged after authorities witnessed an alarming rise in drug addiction among youth, with increasing cases of deaths, psychological distress and social disintegration being reported from different districts. The Lieutenant Governor said the administration realised that the drug crisis had reached a level where isolated enforcement action would no longer suffice and a mass public movement had become necessary. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan,” launched in 2020, provided the larger framework for the anti-drug initiative in Jammu and Kashmir.
Anti-Drug Campaign Becomes Mass Public Movement: According to LG Sinha, the campaign formally began in Jammu on April 11 and rapidly transformed into a people-driven movement involving youth, women, religious leaders, civil society members, academicians and community groups across regions. The Lieutenant Governor described the scale of public participation as unprecedented and said the administration had not witnessed such spontaneous involvement in any public campaign during the last several years. He said people from diverse backgrounds, including political workers and social activists, were voluntarily joining awareness drives, public marches and anti-drug programmes. Sinha said the increasing involvement of ordinary citizens reflected a growing social awareness about the destructive impact of narcotics on families and communities. He added that parents from different districts had repeatedly approached the administration expressing concern over rising addiction among young boys and girls. The Lieutenant Governor noted that drug addiction no longer remains confined to isolated pockets and has emerged as a wider social challenge affecting educational institutions, local communities and family structures. He said the administration therefore decided to approach the issue through a combination of law enforcement, public mobilisation and rehabilitation support.
LG’s Message “Drugs, Terrorism Directly Linked”: One of the strongest messages delivered by the Lieutenant Governor during the interview was his assertion that narcotics trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir is closely linked with terrorism financing and radicalisation networks. Sinha said proceeds generated through drug smuggling eventually reach terror organisations operating in the region and are used for purchasing weapons, recruiting operatives and spreading extremist ideology among vulnerable youth. According to him, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir becomes more dangerous because narcotics trafficking is not merely an organised criminal activity but part of a larger cross-border ecosystem aimed at destabilising peace and security.
The Lieutenant Governor said drugs are primarily smuggled into Jammu and Kashmir through infiltration routes along the border and Line of Control, particularly through areas such as Tangdhar, Gurez, Kathua and Samba. He revealed that drone-dropping methods are increasingly being used for transporting narcotics, weapons and communication devices. Security agencies, he said, are closely monitoring these evolving patterns and strengthening surveillance mechanisms to intercept smuggling attempts. The growing use of technology by traffickers has prompted authorities to adopt more advanced monitoring and intelligence systems.
Massive Crackdown Against Narcotics Networks: Highlighting the scale of enforcement action undertaken during the campaign, Sinha said the administration has launched a comprehensive crackdown aimed at dismantling narcotics supply chains and identifying major smugglers operating in the Union Territory. The Lieutenant Governor said lists of top drug smugglers have been prepared in a manner similar to gangster databases and police stations are displaying photographs of major narcotics traffickers to increase public awareness and cooperation. He disclosed that during the last 38 days alone, police registered 766 FIRs related to narcotics offences and arrested 856 accused involved in drug trafficking activities. According to him, around 677 kilograms of narcotics, including more than six kilograms of heroin, have been seized during the ongoing campaign. Authorities have also recovered over 19,400 units of psychotropic substances during raids and enforcement operations conducted across districts. The Lieutenant Governor further stated that the administration has intensified financial investigations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to target assets accumulated through illegal drug trade. According to LG Sinha, authorities have attached 117 properties worth more than ₹52 crore while illegal structures and assets valued at nearly ₹178 crore have been demolished during the crackdown. He said law enforcement agencies are also issuing lookout circulars, impounding passports, conducting Aadhaar verification and tracing both forward and backward linkages connected to narcotics networks. The Lieutenant Governor maintained that the anti-drug campaign is being carried out in a systematic and legally transparent manner with a focus on dismantling organised trafficking networks rather than targeting ordinary individuals.
Public Participation Strengthening Enforcement: LG Sinha said one of the most encouraging developments during the campaign has been the growing willingness of people to cooperate with authorities by sharing information regarding drug peddlers and suspicious activities. According to him, social stigma surrounding addiction had earlier prevented many families from reporting cases or seeking treatment. However, the atmosphere has gradually changed as awareness programmes and public outreach initiatives have increased. The Lieutenant Governor said people are now using government platforms and local administrative channels to inform authorities about addiction-related cases and illegal narcotics activities in their areas. He praised Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies for conducting operations in a sensitive and professional manner while ensuring that innocent persons are not unnecessarily harassed. Sinha stated that public support has significantly strengthened the administration’s ability to act effectively against drug traffickers and dismantle local supply networks.
“The administration has intensified its anti-drug crackdown by targeting supply chains, smugglers and illegal properties. He said hundreds of FIRs have been registered, major drug seizures made and strict action initiated against narcotics networks across Jammu and Kashmir,” LG Sinha
Rehabilitation The Key Focus Area: While highlighting the enforcement aspect of the campaign, the Lieutenant Governor acknowledged that rehabilitation remains one of the biggest long-term challenges before the administration. He said the government is finalising a comprehensive rehabilitation policy aimed at ensuring treatment, counselling, monitoring and long-term reintegration of recovering addicts into society. According to Sinha, the administration plans to track rehabilitated individuals for up to three years and connect them with employment opportunities, skill development programmes and social support systems to prevent relapse into addiction. The Lieutenant Governor said medical colleges and district hospitals have already been instructed to reserve beds for treatment of drug addicts until specialised rehabilitation centres are further expanded across Jammu and Kashmir.
He assured that the administration would bear treatment expenses and stated that adequate funding has been ensured for rehabilitation and de-addiction initiatives. Sinha stressed that rehabilitation must become a community-driven process involving families, educational institutions, healthcare professionals and local organisations.
Radicalisation, Online Threats Under Scanner: The Lieutenant Governor also linked narcotics abuse with radicalisation and terror recruitment patterns in the region. Referring to previous terror incidents, he claimed that several militants involved in attacks had histories of drug addiction. Sinha said recruitment into terrorism has drastically declined compared to previous years and claimed that most top commanders of terror organisations have been eliminated through sustained counter-terror operations. According to him, security agencies are now increasingly focused on countering online radicalisation through encrypted digital platforms and social media channels. The Lieutenant Governor said extremist networks are adapting to technological changes and often attempt to target vulnerable youth through online communication tools. He added that security agencies are continuously upgrading their technological capabilities to monitor and counter such threats effectively.
Security Grid Strengthened Across Jammu Region: Commenting on the overall security situation, LG Sinha said the administration has significantly strengthened the security grid in Jammu division districts such as Kathua, Udhampur and Kishtwar where infiltration attempts and militant activities had increased in recent years. He stated that while Kashmir earlier remained the primary focus of security operations, cross-border handlers later attempted to shift activities towards the Jammu region. In response, the government enhanced deployment, intelligence coordination and operational preparedness in vulnerable districts. The Lieutenant Governor praised the role of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in conducting counter-terror operations and maintaining stability in the region. Referring to the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Sinha said security forces demonstrated strong operational capability and ensured a firm response against terrorism. According to him, the coordinated security approach adopted in recent years has significantly improved the overall situation and reduced the operational capacity of terror outfits.
Economic, Social Transformation Underway: Reflecting on changes witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir during recent years, Sinha said the Union Territory has experienced substantial improvements in peace, connectivity, tourism and economic growth. He said tourism arrivals have increased significantly while major highway and railway projects are improving regional connectivity and boosting economic activity. According to him, private investment has also expanded in sectors such as hospitality, infrastructure and services. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted reforms in agriculture and allied sectors, including horticulture, dairy farming and food processing, aimed at increasing rural incomes and generating employment. Sinha claimed that a growing section of society now sees peace, stability and development as essential for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed to public protests against terrorism after incidents such as the Pahalgam attack as evidence of changing public attitudes. According to him, a broader social and psychological transformation is gradually taking place in the region as people increasingly reject violence and support development-oriented policies.
Statehood Restoration, Democratic Process: On the issue of restoration of statehood, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated that the Centre remains committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate stage. He recalled that Parliament had outlined a roadmap after the abrogation of Article 370 which included delimitation, peaceful elections and eventual restoration of statehood. Sinha noted that delimitation has been completed and Assembly elections were conducted peacefully without major violence or repolling. He said an elected government is functioning and the democratic process has strengthened institutional stability in the region. The Lieutenant Governor urged people to trust the assurances given by Parliament and the Prime Minister regarding restoration of statehood.
Kashmir Horizon View: Lieutenant Governor said the administration’s two major priorities remain elimination of narcotics trafficking and comprehensive development of border areas. He said the government’s broader objective is to build a peaceful, secure and economically vibrant Jammu and Kashmir where youth are empowered through education, employment and development opportunities rather than falling prey to drugs or radicalisation. According to Sinha, the combined focus on security, rehabilitation, infrastructure development and economic growth is gradually reshaping Jammu and Kashmir’s future. He maintained that the administration is committed to completely eradicating narcotics networks, strengthening border communities and ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir continues moving towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity in line with the Prime Minister’s development vision for the region.
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