Srinagar witnessed a historic public gathering today, May 3, 2026, as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led a mega anti-drug Padyatra from the TRC Football Ground to the iconic Clock Tower. Terming drug trafficking as "silent terrorism" designed to destroy the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the LG declared that drug peddlers are "enemies of the nation" and warned of the most stringent action against narco-networks.
The event, held under the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan', saw an overwhelming turnout of over 35,000 participants. Students, youth clubs, women’s committees, and civil society members formed a massive human chain from Poloview to the city center, signaling a unified stand against narcotics. Addressing the crowd before flagging off the march, LG Sinha noted that the campaign has transformed into a true "Jan Andolan" (people's movement) in just 22 days, bridging generations in a collective fight for a healthier society.
The LG highlighted a dangerous "narco-terror" angle, asserting that drug money is being funneled into terrorism to procure weapons and weaken the region's moral and economic foundations. "We are facing a dangerous enemy sitting in our neighborhood," he said, emphasizing that the administration's strategy rests on three pillars: breaking supply chains, creating mass awareness, and ensuring the rehabilitation of those trapped in addiction. He urged the public to stop viewing drug use as "cool" and instead treat victims with compassion while reserving total ruthlessness for the traffickers.
The Padyatra in Srinagar follows a similar successful initiative led by the LG in Jammu’s MA Stadium last month. Today’s march was supported by local trade bodies, religious leaders, and educational institutions, reflecting a wide societal consensus. To ensure the event's success, the Srinagar administration had established a high-tech coordination center, with the Information Department using digital screens and public address systems to amplify the "drug-free" oath across the city.
As the Padyatra concluded at Lal Chowk, LG Sinha reiterated his commitment to dismantling the drug syndicate entirely. With over 70,000 citizens now actively participating in the movement across the Union Territory, the administration aims to make Jammu and Kashmir a national model for successful drug eradication. For the thousands who marched through the heart of Srinagar today, the message was clear: the era of silence on drugs is over, and the battle for the youth's future has begun in earnest.
