Srinagar, May 5: Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday led an anti-drug padyatra in Budgam, urging families, community groups and leaders to intensify efforts to eliminate drug abuse from the district.
Addressing participants, Sinha appealed to every household, social organisation, spiritual and political leadership in Budgam to actively support the campaign against substance abuse. He assured that the administration would deploy its full strength to combat the menace.
“We are committed to eradicating drugs, and every arm of the administration will work in coordination to achieve this goal,” he said.
In a key initiative, the Lieutenant Governor announced the formation of an informal “Parents Brigade” in villages and urban areas wherever feasible. The initiative aims to build a voluntary network of parents who will be trained to identify early signs of drug use and guide affected families towards timely support and rehabilitation resources.
Officials said the programme is designed to strengthen grassroots vigilance and promote early intervention at the community level.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Aamir Khan expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for leading the padyatra and galvanising public participation in the anti-drug campaign.
He said the large turnout, which included elected representatives, senior officials and residents, reflected a shared commitment across the district to achieve a drug-free society.
“The padyatra symbolised the collective resolve of Budgam to realise the vision of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir,” Khan said, acknowledging the participation of the Speaker of the J&K Assembly, local legislators and members of the public.
The event forms part of the broader “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir” campaign aimed at raising awareness, strengthening enforcement and promoting community engagement to tackle drug abuse across the Union Territory.
