Aqzar Raheel
Ganderbal, June 5: In one of the biggest public mobilisations against drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir in recent times, thousands of people on Friday participated in a massive anti-drug padyatra led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The padyatra, organised under the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan,” witnessed overwhelming participation from students, youth volunteers, teachers, civil society members, religious leaders, sports groups, traders, and government officials, turning the event into a powerful show of collective resolve against the growing menace of narcotics.
Carrying banners, placards, and anti-drug messages, participants marched through the main roads of Ganderbal while raising slogans promoting awareness, healthy lifestyles, and social responsibility. The atmosphere throughout the march reflected unity, determination, and a shared commitment to safeguarding the younger generation from substance abuse.
Addressing the massive gathering, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described drug addiction as one of the most serious social challenges facing society and stressed the need for a united fight involving families, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, and the community at large.
“Our youth are the architects of the future. Protecting them from the trap of drugs is a collective responsibility,” the Lieutenant Governor said, while urging people to actively support the administration’s mission to make Jammu and Kashmir drug-free.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to intensifying awareness campaigns, strengthening rehabilitation mechanisms, and taking strict action against drug peddlers and trafficking networks operating across the Union Territory.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from school and college students, many of whom displayed creative anti-drug messages and pledged to spread awareness within their communities. Several cultural and awareness activities were also organised alongside the march to engage youth and amplify the campaign’s message.
Officials said the padyatra forms part of a broader anti-drug initiative launched by the administration to create mass awareness and encourage community participation in combating substance abuse. The campaign has been receiving strong public support across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
As the march concluded, participants took a collective pledge to stand united against drug abuse and work towards building a safer, healthier, and addiction-free society.
The massive turnout at Ganderbal sent a strong and clear message that the fight against drugs has become a people’s movement in Jammu and Kashmir.
