Jammu and Kashmir's Anti-Drug Campaign: 444 Arrests and Community Involvement
From Sermons in mosques to bulldozers: 1st month of J-K’s anti-drug drive sees different strategies, 444 arrests
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
In the first month of the Jammu and Kashmir administration's anti-drug campaign, 444 alleged drug peddlers were arrested and 441 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The campaign, launched on April 11, 2026, employs community involvement, including sermons in mosques, while facing criticism over demolitions of properties linked to drug trafficking.
- 01444 alleged drug peddlers arrested in the first month of the campaign.
- 02441 FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
- 03378 kg of contraband substances seized in the Kashmir Valley.
- 04Community involvement includes over 4,000 mosques participating in awareness efforts.
- 05Concerns raised over police demolitions of properties linked to drug trafficking.
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The Jammu and Kashmir administration's 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir (Drug-free Jammu and Kashmir) campaign, launched on April 11, 2026, has made significant strides in its first month. The J&K Police arrested 444 alleged drug peddlers and registered 441 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In total, 378 kg of contraband was seized, and over 165 kanals (approximately 20 acres) of poppy cultivation were destroyed. The campaign employs a Whole of Society Approach, engaging over 4,000 mosques and religious institutions to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use, with participation from around 1,000 religious leaders. However, the campaign has faced criticism for the demolition of residential and commercial properties linked to drug trafficking, with J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo questioning the selective nature of these actions. Despite this, the campaign has garnered public support, emphasizing a collective fight against narcotics in the region.
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The campaign aims to reduce drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir, potentially improving community safety and health. However, the demolition of properties has raised concerns about due process and community relations.
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