*In 3 weeks, Nasha Mukht J&K Abhiyan has become mass movement: Div Com Garg*
*Joins padyatra in Srinagar; says 30,000+ awareness programmes held; religious leaders, youth join hands as crackdown expands to supply chains, traffickers*
Srinagar, May 03 Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Kumar Garg on Sunday said that ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan’ has transformed into a “Jan Andolan” within just three weeks and overwhelming participation of people has sent a strong message that everyone is determined to wipe out this menace.
Addressing participants, who had arrived at TRC Football Ground here to join the padyatra, the Divisional Commissioner, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “ The campaign has witnessed massive public participation.In just three weeks, this initiative has taken the shape of a people’s movement.”
He said over 30,000 awareness programmes have been conducted across Kashmir, reaching “every village and every ward.” The campaign, he added, is no longer limited to schools and colleges, with more than 3,000 religious leaders also joining the effort to eradicate the menace.
Highlighting enforcement measures, the Div Com said the administration is simultaneously focusing on supply chain disruption and strict action against traffickers and peddlers.
“Hotspot identification, tracking, FIRs, arrests, and legal proceedings are being intensified,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner further said punitive measures also include actions related to driving licences, Aadhaar, passports, property demolition, and revenue records of those involved in drug-related crimes.
To strengthen grassroots vigilance, he said Nambardar and Chowkidar networks have been activated in every village, while district control rooms have received over 2,000 public inputs, many of which have already been acted upon.
He said nearly 98 percent of public institutions have become part of the campaign, with increased transparency through open billing and stock registers.
Outlining the next phase, Garg said the focus will shift towards rehabilitation and support for victims, including strengthening de-addiction and counselling services. He credited the Chief Secretary for ensuring deployment of counsellors at schools, colleges and block levels through the Health Department.
The Div Com also expressed gratitude to youth groups, NGOs, media fraternity, and civil society for their active participation. “I urge everyone to continue supporting this campaign with the same enthusiasm and share feedback so that timely action can be ensured,” he said—(KNO)
