‘No Drug Peddler Will Be Spared’: LG Announces Tougher Measures Against Narcotics Trade

Baramulla, May 12, KNT: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday warned of stringent action against drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir, including property seizure, vehicle de-registration and issuance of lookout notices, saying the administration was intensifying its crackdown on narcotics networks across the Union Territory.

During a march against drugs in Baramulla, Sinha said more than two lakh awareness and outreach programs had been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir as part of the administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“I have been informed that over two lakh outreach programs have taken place across J&K. I am satisfied with the Baramulla administration for its dedication in tackling this menace with public support,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the police and civil administration had significantly strengthened both enforcement and awareness initiatives to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse.

In a stern message to narcotics traffickers, Sinha said the administration would adopt tougher punitive measures against those involved in the drug trade.

“Measures including vehicle de-registration, lookout notices and property seizure will be taken against them, irrespective of where they are,” he said, asserting that no drug peddler would be spared.

The Lieutenant Governor, however, differentiated between traffickers and drug addicts, describing substance users as victims requiring rehabilitation and social support rather than criminalization.

“For the last 30 days, I have consistently maintained that those consuming drugs are victims, not culprits. We must help them return to normal life with care and rehabilitation,” he said.

Sinha also sought wider public participation in the anti-drug campaign and urged citizens to inform authorities about drug peddlers or any laxity in enforcement measures.

“Every minute is important for us now. If there is any lackadaisical approach, people should inform us and we will act on it,” he said.

Calling the campaign a collective societal responsibility, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to religious scholars, preachers, elders and members of civil society to actively support the administration’s efforts to combat narcotics abuse.

“We want to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free and save our youth at any cost,” he added. [KNT]