Srinagar, May 24 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s ambitious anti-drug initiative, “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan”, has witnessed unprecedented public participation and intensified enforcement action across Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities launching a sweeping crackdown against narcotics networks.
Sources privy to anti-drug operations told news agency JKNS that, the ongoing Drug-Free J&K – 100 Days Campaign has emerged as one of the largest anti-narcotics movements ever undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir, combining awareness generation, rehabilitation, law enforcement, treatment, surveillance and prevention under a comprehensive whole-of-government approach aimed at eradicating substance abuse from society.
According to official figures accessed by JKNS, authorities conducted a staggering 16,37,484 awareness programmes and outreach activities across the Union Territory, with participation crossing one crore people, reflecting massive community engagement and growing public support for the anti-drug campaign.
The outreach initiatives included mega padyatras, roadshows, school and college campaigns, village-level awareness programmes, signature drives, counselling sessions, sports activities, cultural events, seminars and social media advocacy campaigns designed to educate people, particularly youth, about the devastating impact of drug addiction on society.
Sources further said mental health and counselling support systems were also significantly strengthened under the campaign. Through the Tele-MANAS and counselling support initiatives, around 3,572 calls were received from individuals seeking psychological support, counselling and guidance related to mental health and substance abuse issues.
Officials said the administration has focused heavily on early intervention and emotional support mechanisms to assist vulnerable individuals and families affected by addiction.
Treatment and rehabilitation infrastructure has also been expanded substantially across Jammu and Kashmir. Government-run Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) under the Health Department recorded 58,603 patient visits during the campaign period, including 58,138 OPD cases and 465 inpatient intensive care admissions. Around 192 patients were successfully cured and discharged, sources said.
Simultaneously, Social Welfare Department-operated Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centres (DDACs) provided treatment and counselling support to hundreds of affected individuals. Around 634 patients received treatment support, 1,055 individuals underwent counselling sessions, while 29 patients recovered successfully and 851 active patients continue to remain under rehabilitation support.
Police-operated rehabilitation and counselling initiatives also witnessed significant outreach, with 451 patients registered, 786 counselling sessions conducted and 138 individuals recovering successfully, while 363 active cases continue to remain under monitoring and rehabilitation support.
Sources told JKNS that alongside rehabilitation efforts, enforcement agencies launched an aggressive crackdown against narcotics syndicates and drug trafficking networks across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the ongoing campaign, police registered 850 FIRs under NDPS-related offences and arrested 942 persons involved in drug trafficking activities. Around 293 drug peddlers were specifically apprehended while 49 drug hotspots were identified for focused intervention and surveillance.
Authorities also intensified financial investigations against narcotics syndicates by targeting illegally acquired assets linked to drug traffickers.
As per official figures, 55 houses belonging to drug traffickers were sealed or demolished during the campaign. Besides, 71 immovable properties worth approximately ₹46.32 crore were attached or seized, while 34 properties valued at around ₹16.48 crore were demolished. Movable assets worth approximately ₹2.14 crore were also seized or attached during the anti-drug operations.
The campaign additionally targeted logistical and regulatory violations linked to narcotics trafficking. Authorities suspended or cancelled 414 driving licences, cancelled 13 vehicle registration certificates and suspended 118 drug store licences while permanently cancelling two licences.
Moreover, 1,285 Aadhaar cancellation applications were processed and 119 passport impoundment proceedings initiated against suspects involved in drug-related activities, sources added.
In major narcotics recovery operations carried out during the campaign, enforcement agencies seized over 6.4 kilograms of heroin, 47 kilograms of charas and over 251 kilograms of ganja. Additionally, 22,474 narcotic tablets were recovered, 65 kilograms of poppy plants destroyed and 47 kanals of poppy cultivation eradicated across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said these operations have dealt a major blow to narcotics supply chains operating within the Union Territory and adjoining regions.
Sources further informed JKNS that surveillance and institutional monitoring mechanisms were also strengthened under the campaign. Authorities inspected 6,436 chemists, installed 6,881 CCTV cameras and conducted inspections in 2,127 schools and hospitals to prevent illegal circulation of narcotics near educational institutions and sensitive public spaces.
Intelligence-led prevention measures also witnessed substantial strengthening during the campaign. Around 386 suspects were examined, 3,045 drug peddlers and smugglers identified and 36 PIT-NDPS detentions carried out to dismantle organized narcotics networks and inter-district trafficking modules.
Officials said large-scale padyatras organized under the campaign witnessed enormous public participation across Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting growing societal support for the anti-drug movement. Sports and co-curricular activities are also being promoted at school, college, block and local levels to encourage youth participation in healthy and constructive activities.
Sources said the administration views the “Nasha Mukt JK Abhiyaan” not merely as an enforcement exercise but as a comprehensive social movement aimed at protecting youth, strengthening families and building a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.
The administration emphasized that the coordinated participation of government departments, police, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, civil society organizations, religious leaders and local communities has played a decisive role in making the campaign successful and impactful across the Union Territory. (JKNS)
