Kashmir Ahead

One crore join Anti-Drug Drive in J&K; 646 held under NDPS Act

Srinagar, June 30,2026-Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing 100-day “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan” has emerged as one of the largest anti-drug awareness and enforcement campaigns ever undertaken in the Union Territory. Combining extensive public outreach with an aggressive crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the campaign has witnessed the participation of more than one crore people while resulting in the arrest of 646 persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The campaign reflects the administration’s comprehensive strategy to combat the growing menace of drug abuse by simultaneously targeting demand through awareness and supply through strict law enforcement. Officials said the initiative has mobilised educational institutions, local communities, government departments, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, youth organisations, religious leaders and civil society groups in a united effort to build a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir.

Massive Public Participation Across the Union Territory

According to official figures, a total of 2,16,123 awareness programmes have been organised across Jammu and Kashmir during the campaign. The scale of participation has been unprecedented, with more than one crore residents actively joining various awareness activities held in urban centres, rural villages, educational institutions and community spaces.

The campaign has reached people across all age groups through innovative and community-driven initiatives designed to educate citizens about the devastating consequences of substance abuse. Authorities have focused particularly on educating young people, recognising that prevention remains one of the most effective tools in combating drug addiction.

Educational institutions played a pivotal role in the awareness campaign. Schools, colleges and universities organised special lectures, interactive sessions, debates, essay competitions and awareness workshops highlighting the dangers of narcotics consumption and the importance of maintaining a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Village-level campaigns were conducted across districts to ensure that awareness reached even the most remote areas of the Union Territory. Community meetings, public discussions and door-to-door awareness drives enabled officials and volunteers to interact directly with residents and address concerns related to drug abuse.

Diverse Awareness Activities

The campaign incorporated a wide variety of public engagement activities aimed at reaching different sections of society.

Thousands of padyatras (awareness marches) were organised across Jammu and Kashmir, bringing together students, teachers, government officials, police personnel, youth volunteers and members of civil society.

Seminars and conferences were held in educational institutions and public venues where experts discussed the medical, psychological and social consequences of drug addiction. Healthcare professionals educated participants about the harmful effects of narcotics on physical and mental health while counsellors emphasised the importance of rehabilitation and family support.

Sports competitions formed another major component of the campaign. Authorities organised football tournaments, cricket matches, volleyball competitions and athletics events under the anti-drug theme to encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and stay away from substance abuse.

Cultural programmes, including street plays, music performances, painting competitions and awareness rallies, were also organised to spread anti-drug messages in an engaging and relatable manner.

Officials believe that combining education, culture, sports and community participation has significantly increased public awareness regarding the dangers posed by narcotics.

Intensive Enforcement Under the NDPS Act

While awareness remained a major pillar of the campaign, law enforcement agencies simultaneously intensified operations against drug trafficking networks operating across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to official data, J&K Police registered 614 First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the campaign period.

The enforcement drive resulted in the arrest of 646 persons, including 435 identified drug peddlers, reflecting the administration’s determination to dismantle organised narcotics networks responsible for supplying drugs across the region.

Officials said sustained intelligence gathering, coordinated raids and enhanced surveillance contributed significantly to the success of the operations.

Identification of Drug Hotspots

One of the important achievements of the campaign has been the identification of 160 drug hotspots across Jammu and Kashmir.

Authorities stated that mapping these vulnerable locations will enable police and enforcement agencies to maintain continuous surveillance and conduct targeted operations to prevent drug trafficking and distribution.

Officials said identifying hotspots also helps in planning preventive interventions, awareness campaigns and rehabilitation efforts in areas where drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern.

Large Quantity of Narcotics Seized

The enforcement agencies recovered significant quantities of narcotic substances during the campaign, dealing a substantial blow to illegal drug trafficking networks.

The seizures included:

  • 3.8 kilograms of heroin
  • 32.92 kilograms of charas
  • 222.31 kilograms of ganja

Officials said these seizures prevented a large quantity of narcotics from reaching consumers and demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated anti-narcotics operations carried out across the Union Territory.

The recovered narcotics were seized during multiple raids, vehicle inspections, intelligence-based operations and routine policing conducted in different districts.

Illegal Poppy Cultivation Destroyed

Authorities also targeted the source of narcotics production by destroying illegal poppy cultivation spread over 21 marlas of land.

Officials said eliminating illicit cultivation remains an important component of the government’s anti-drug strategy, as it disrupts the production chain before narcotic substances reach illegal markets.

Enforcement teams conducted field inspections and coordinated operations to identify and destroy unlawful cultivation wherever detected.

Financial Crackdown on Drug Networks

Recognising that narcotics trafficking is driven by financial gains, authorities initiated stringent action against properties and assets allegedly linked to drug trafficking.

During the campaign:

  • 37 houses associated with drug peddlers were sealed or demolished.
  • Immovable properties worth approximately ₹25.97 crore were seized or attached.
  • Additional properties worth ₹3.70 crore were demolished.
  • Movable assets valued at around ₹1.67 crore were seized.

Officials said targeting financial assets is crucial to weakening organised drug syndicates by depriving them of the economic resources required to sustain illegal operations.

The administration emphasised that such measures are intended to ensure that proceeds generated through narcotics trafficking cannot be used to expand criminal networks.

Action Against Misuse of Transport and Pharmaceutical Channels

The campaign also focused on preventing the misuse of transport systems and pharmaceutical establishments allegedly involved in facilitating narcotics distribution.

Authorities cancelled:

  • 252 driving licences
  • 111 vehicle registrations

These actions were taken against vehicles allegedly found involved in narcotics-related offences.

Similarly, regulatory authorities acted against pharmaceutical establishments suspected of violating legal provisions.

During the campaign:

  • 104 drug store licences were suspended.
  • Two drug store licences were cancelled permanently.

Officials said strict monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains is essential to prevent the diversion and illegal sale of controlled substances.

Multi-Agency Coordination

The success of the campaign has been attributed to close coordination among various government departments and enforcement agencies.

J&K Police worked in collaboration with district administrations, educational institutions, health departments, social welfare organisations and local communities to ensure effective implementation of both awareness and enforcement activities.

Officials noted that community participation significantly strengthened the campaign by encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities and support preventive initiatives.

Focus on Rehabilitation

Apart from enforcement, the administration reiterated its commitment to rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals affected by substance abuse.

Authorities stressed that addressing drug addiction requires not only legal action against traffickers but also counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services for those struggling with addiction.

Officials said rehabilitation centres, awareness programmes and family counselling remain important components of the government’s long-term strategy to eliminate drug abuse from society.

Youth at the Centre of the Campaign

Young people have remained the primary focus of the “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan.”

Educational institutions across the Union Territory actively engaged students through awareness sessions, motivational lectures, sports activities and cultural events promoting healthy lifestyles.

Authorities emphasised that empowering youth with knowledge and positive opportunities is essential to protecting future generations from the dangers of substance abuse.

Teachers, parents and community leaders were encouraged to remain vigilant and provide guidance to young people who may be vulnerable to drug addiction.

Government Reaffirms Commitment

The administration reaffirmed its commitment to making Jammu and Kashmir a drug-free Union Territory through sustained awareness campaigns, strict enforcement measures and rehabilitation support.

Officials stated that the achievements recorded during the first 100 days demonstrate the effectiveness of combining public participation with strong legal action against narcotics networks.

They added that anti-drug operations will continue with the same intensity, while awareness programmes will be expanded further to ensure that every section of society remains informed about the dangers of drug abuse.

The government also appealed to citizens to actively cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting drug-related activities and supporting community-based initiatives aimed at preventing addiction.

Building a Drug-Free Future

The Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan represents a comprehensive approach to addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges. By combining education, enforcement, financial action against traffickers and rehabilitation support, the campaign seeks to create a safer environment for future generations.

With over one crore participants, more than 2.16 lakh awareness events, hundreds of arrests, significant narcotics seizures and decisive action against drug trafficking networks, the campaign has set a strong foundation for the Union Territory’s ongoing fight against substance abuse.

Authorities believe that continued public cooperation, institutional support and sustained enforcement will remain critical in achieving the shared objective of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring healthier communities and a more secure future for the region’s youth.

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