Asif Malik 

Srinagar, Oct 01 (KNS) Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police) Nitish Kumar on Thursday said Narcotics and alcohol are the main cause of violence in Kashmir asserting that the participation of youth in a marathon here shows they have defeated drugs — even as he acknowledged that the region's youth are continuously changing and now becoming aggressors.

Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) on the sidelines of the 'Kashmir Marathon 2026 — Run for Unity' organised by the J&K Police, Nitish Kumar said the force is expanding its sporting calendar to engage the youth constructively.

Today's event is very important because we can see that the youth is continuously changing and now they are becoming aggressors, he said.

On the drug menace, the ADGP said narcotics and alcohol were the main cause of violence in Kashmir, and cited the turnout as evidence of a shift. The participation of the youth in this event clearly shows how our youth have defeated drugs.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Nasha Mukt Abhiyan that is being carried out under the leadership of LG Manoj Sinha is a big result of his success, he said.

ADGP Kumar said the response to the run exceeded expectations. We got more participation than we expected, he said, noting that despite it being a working day, several runners had come from outside Jammu and Kashmir. This is a very auspicious day and I would like to congratulate all the participants.

Underlining the spirit of the occasion, he said, The biggest thing is the sportsman spirit. You can see that people from all categories are participating in this event. This is a very good thing.

The ADGP said the force's engagement programme in the Valley has only just begun. The activities of J&K Police in Kashmir have just started. Very soon we will have a cycle race here. The most anticipated event is Jashn-e-Dal, he said, adding that water sports events on Dal Lake would be held within a few days. (KNS)