3.8 kg heroin, 32.92 kg charas, 222.31 kg ganja seized; 160 drug hotspots identified across J&K
Tauseef Ahmad
Srinagar, May 10: Under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s 100-day “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan,” the Jammu and Kashmir administration has reported major progress in its anti-drug campaign, with intensified enforcement, rehabilitation efforts and public outreach carried out across the Union Territory.
Officials said the campaign adopted a whole-of-government approach to combat rising drug abuse, dismantle narcotics networks and strengthen counselling and rehabilitation services.
As part of the awareness drive, authorities organised 2,16,123 public outreach programmes across Jammu and Kashmir, drawing participation from more than one crore people. The campaign included padyatras, school and college programmes, village-level awareness drives, sports activities, seminars and cultural events aimed at educating people about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
Mental health support systems were also expanded under the initiative. Through the Tele-MANAS counselling programme, authorities received 2,786 calls seeking psychological and addiction-related support.
According to official figures, Addiction Treatment Facilities run by the Health Department treated 44,602 patients during the campaign period, including 44,263 OPD cases and 339 admissions. Authorities said 148 patients successfully recovered and were discharged after treatment.
Rehabilitation centres operated by the Social Welfare Department received 441 patients, while 742 individuals underwent counselling sessions. Officials said 18 patients fully recovered, while rehabilitation support continues for others.
Police-run counselling and rehabilitation centres also recorded significant activity, with 451 patients registered, 786 counselled and 138 individuals reportedly recovering from addiction.
On the enforcement front, Jammu and Kashmir Police intensified anti-narcotics operations under the NDPS Act. During the 100-day campaign, police registered 614 FIRs, arrested 646 persons and apprehended 435 alleged drug peddlers. Authorities also identified 160 drug hotspots across the Union Territory.
Officials said strict deterrent action was taken against narcotics networks and their assets. During the drive, 37 houses linked to alleged drug peddlers were sealed or demolished, while immovable properties worth nearly Rs 25.97 crore were seized or attached. Additional properties worth Rs 3.70 crore were demolished and movable assets valued at Rs 1.67 crore seized.
The administration also cracked down on the misuse of transport and pharmaceutical channels allegedly linked to narcotics activities. Authorities cancelled 252 driving licences and 111 vehicle registrations, while 104 drug store licences were suspended and two permanently cancelled.
Security agencies seized substantial quantities of narcotic substances during the campaign, including 3.8 kilograms of heroin, 32.92 kilograms of charas and 222.31 kilograms of ganja. Authorities also destroyed illegal poppy cultivation spread over 21 marlas of land.
To strengthen surveillance and preventive vigilance, officials inspected 3,067 chemist shops, installed 2,815 CCTV cameras at vulnerable locations and conducted inspections at 977 schools and hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir.
The administration said intelligence-based operations are continuing, with 107 suspects examined, 2,807 alleged peddlers identified and 11 preventive detentions carried out under the PIT-NDPS Act.
Officials described the campaign as one of the largest coordinated anti-drug drives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.
