LG Manoj Sinha takes anti-drug campaign to streets, leads mass padyatra in Srinagar

Srinagar: Stepping beyond official meetings and reviews, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday took the anti-drug campaign directly to the streets, leading a massive ‘padyatra’ in Srinagar that saw participation of thousands from across Kashmir.

The march, part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan’, marked a visible push by the administration to convert the anti-drug drive into a sustained public movement, with Sinha himself at the forefront.

Officials said the campaign, launched on April 11, has already begun drawing widespread community support.

Addressing participants at the TRC Football Ground, here, before the yatra, the Lieutenant Governor described drug trafficking as “silent terrorism” that is eating into the social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is not just a crime. It is aimed at destroying our youth, our families and our future,” he said, linking the narcotics trade to broader security concerns.

Sinha’s decision to personally lead padyatras — after covering eight districts in Jammu division — is being seen as an attempt to build a direct connect with people and galvanise public sentiment.

“Everywhere I went, people told me they want their children and their future back. That collective voice has strengthened this movement,” he said.

The campaign, which has 78 days remaining in its 100-day timeline, is now being positioned as a people-driven effort rather than a purely administrative exercise. Sinha emphasised that the fight cannot be won by enforcement agencies alone.

“The biggest weapon in this fight is public participation,” he said, urging citizens to act as partners in identifying and isolating drug networks.

At the same time, the administration has stepped up enforcement measures. According to official figures, between April 11 and May 2, police registered 481 FIRs and arrested 518 alleged drug smugglers, while 24 properties linked to narcotics trade were attached. In addition, hundreds of driving licences were suspended, five passports cancelled and 325 vehicles seized as part of the crackdown.

Authorities have also intensified inspections of pharmaceutical outlets, with over 3,000 drug stores checked and action initiated against violations. Financial trails of suspected syndicates are being tracked to dismantle networks beyond ground-level operatives.

Flagging the cross-border dimension, Sinha said drug money is being used to fund terrorism and procure weapons. “We are dealing with a dangerous network that is targeting our most productive force — our youth — to weaken society from within,” he said.

Despite the tough stance against traffickers, the Lieutenant Governor drew a distinction between peddlers and victims.

He called for a compassionate approach towards those struggling with addiction, stressing the need for rehabilitation and social support. “Those trapped in drugs are victims. They need treatment and care,” he said.

Sinha also called upon religious leaders, teachers, women and youth groups to take ownership of the campaign, noting that more than 70,000 people have already joined the initiative.