Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday led a padyatra in Baramulla district of North Kashmir as part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan’, a major initiative aimed at combating drug abuse across the Union Territory. The march witnessed wide participation from students, youth, members of civil society, and district administration officials, reflecting a collective resolve to address the growing challenge of narcotics. The presence of multiple sections of society highlighted the administration’s emphasis on community involvement in the anti-drug campaign.

During the event, the Lieutenant Governor addressed the gathering and underlined the importance of a united, community-driven approach to eliminate drug abuse from society. He appealed particularly to young people to stay away from substance use and remain focused on education, health, and nation-building activities.

He reiterated that the administration is fully committed to taking strict and sustained action against drug traffickers operating in the region. At the same time, he stressed that enforcement alone is not enough and must be complemented with continuous awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation efforts for affected individuals.

Officials informed that participants in the padyatra took a collective pledge to contribute towards building a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. The march began from Government Degree College Baramulla and concluded at Dak Bungalow Baramulla, symbolising the public outreach aspect of the campaign. The padyatra forms part of a larger 100-day intensive awareness drive launched by the administration to strengthen outreach against drug abuse. As part of this initiative, more than two lakh awareness and outreach programmes have already been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor also acknowledged the efforts of the police and administration in intensifying both enforcement actions and awareness drives. He praised their work in identifying and acting against drug peddlers while also engaging with communities to spread awareness about the harmful effects of narcotics. He further stated that the anti-narcotics campaign will be strengthened in the coming days, and assured that strict action will continue against anyone involved in the illegal drug trade, with no leniency shown.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.