A People’s March Against Poison

The image of thousands of people walking through the streets of Srinagar, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, is a declaration. After years of watching silently as drugs consumed their children, destroyed families and dimmed futures, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have finally said: enough is enough. In just three weeks, the ‘Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan’ has transformed from a government campaign into a genuine ‘Jan Andolan’—a people’s movement. And Sunday’s mega padyatra in Srinagar, with students, religious clerics, traders, women and youth walking shoulder to shoulder, proved that this fight is no longer someone else’s job. It is everyone’s responsibility. The Lieutenant Governor rightly called drug trafficking “silent terrorism”. And he is correct. The peddler who sells poison to a teenager is no different from the terrorist who plants a bomb. Both destroy lives. Both target the future of this region. For too long, this truth was ignored. Now, the administration has drawn a clear line: drug peddlers are enemies of the nation and will be treated accordingly. The results of this tough stance are already visible. In just 22 days, 481 FIRs have been registered, 518 smugglers arrested, 24 narco properties attached, 300 driving licences suspended, and 5 passports cancelled. These are not small numbers. The supply chains are being broken. The financial networks are being tracked. And the message is clear: no one involved in this trade will be spared. But enforcement alone cannot win this war. That is why the public participation seen on Sunday is so important. When communities refuse to stay silent, peddlers lose their cover. When religious leaders speak from mosques, teachers warn in classrooms, and parents keep watch at home, the drug trade cannot thrive. The Divisional Commissioner said over 30,000 awareness programmes have been held and 3,000 religious leaders have joined the effort. This is how a society fights back. The campaign now has 78 days remaining. The focus must shift to two things: rehabilitation for those who are trapped in addiction and continued vigilance against those who profit from it. De-addiction centres must be strengthened. Counsellors must reach every block. And every citizen must act as the eyes and ears of the administration. The time for silence is over. The drug peddler is an enemy, and enemies must be defeated. Sunday’s padyatra was a powerful start. Now, the march must continue—in every lane, every home, and every heart.