Jammu: Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson and senior party leader Dr. Tahir Chowdhary on Friday raised serious concern about the growing drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir, and called for urgent and coordinated efforts to combat the crisis.
Flanked by BJP Spokespersons Y V Sharma and Balbir Ram Rattan during the press conference, Dr. Chowdhary acknowledged the commendable steps taken by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government, security forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police in tackling drug trafficking.
“I extend my gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor and the administration for their efforts in curbing the drug trade. As per recent reports, over 6,500 cases have been registered and 9,424 individuals arrested in connection with narcotics since 2021. Additionally, nearly 8,000 kilograms of drugs have been seized and destroyed,” he said.
However, the spokesperson stressed that the problem persists and has now infiltrated even into rural areas across Jammu and Kashmir.
He highlighted the devastating impact on families, particularly parents who witness their children falling victim to this menace.
“Earlier, such issues were confined to larger cities, but now even villages and small towns in Jammu and Kashmir are deeply affected, Dr Chowdhary said.
It’s alarming that school and college students are being targeted by this scourge,” the senior party leader said.
Dr. Chowdhary emphasized the need for a strategic approach from the Jammu and Kashmir government.
He questioned the lack of a concrete plan or roadmap from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his administration, stating, “It has been two months since the government was formed, yet we haven’t seen any significant initiatives or discussions on how to tackle this issue.”
The senior BJP leader urged the government to prioritize awareness campaigns in schools and colleges and to organize sports tournaments to engage the youth positively.
“Sports can play a crucial role in diverting children from drugs. Each district, village, and neighbourhood should have sports leagues with active involvement from local authorities,” he suggested.
While commending the efforts of law enforcement in apprehending small-time offenders, Dr. Chowdhary stressed the importance of targeting the “kingpins” of the drug trade.
“The government and police need to focus on dismantling the major networks operating behind the scenes. Arresting small offenders will not solve the problem entirely,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson highlighted the role of cross-border drug trafficking in funding terrorism.
“Our neighboring country plays a significant role in pushing drugs into Jammu and Kashmir. The money generated is often used to support terror activities, further destabilizing the region,” Dr Chowdhary remarked.
He concluded by calling for collective action involving the government, law enforcement, and society. “We must all come together to save Jammu and Kashmir from this growing threat. The Chief Minister and his administration must take this issue seriously and present a clear roadmap. Only then can we hope to secure a better future for the youth of our state,” the Senior Party leader said.
