Srinagar, May 19 (KNS): Warning of a massive crackdown on the narco-terror network, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said security forces would hunt down drug peddlers and terrorists even from their "deepest hideouts" as he joined the Nasha-Mukt J&K campaign in Pulwama.
"Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of the narco-terror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreads," Mr Sinha said addressing a public gathering.
The Lieutenant Governor said the long-standing "silence" over the Union Territory had finally broken over the last 39 days, turning into a loud collective outcry against drugs.
"Neighbours became each other's support. Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fuelled by fear, greed and destruction," he said.
Citing data from Pulwama, Mr Sinha said more than 11,000 local events had been organised in recent days, with FIRs registered against 48 drug smugglers and 56 traffickers arrested.
"These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror," he added.
Asserting that drug smugglers and terrorists were "two sides of the same coin", the Lieutenant Governor said for decades drug smuggling was treated as a mere local crime.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
"Drug smugglers profit by destroying the futures of our youth, and terror outfits use that money to fuel terrorism and radicalisation. Every deal a drug peddler makes not only wrecks a young life but also finances the killing of innocent citizens," Mr Sinha said.
He said since April 11, a total of 897 drug smugglers and peddlers had been arrested across Jammu and Kashmir. Recommendations had been made to cancel passports of 18 traffickers, while driving licences of 382 traffickers and registrations of 386 vehicles had been cancelled.
Forty-nine immovable properties had been seized and 45 properties demolished, the LG said, adding that over 5,000 drug stores had been inspected and licences of 225 suspended.
Across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, more than 3.93 lakh programmes had been held since April 11, with millions participating in awareness activities, he said. Over 52,000 patients had received treatment in addiction facilities so far.
"A month ago, we dreamed of a drug-free Jammu Kashmir. Today, we are proving it is real," the Lieutenant Governor said, urging people to stay vigilant and united.
"Stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley," he added. (KNS)