Suhail Khan
For decades, the districts of South Kashmir evoked images of voilence, fear, and uncertainty. Nestled in South of Kashmir, the districts Shopian, Pulwama, and parts of Anantnag, Kulgam were often mentioned in news reports for gunfights, militant activity, shutdowns, and loss of life.
The scars of that turbulent period remain visible in the memories of its people. Entire generations grew up amid operations, political upheaval, and the constant shadow of militancy. Even in recent years, security forces have continued to conduct anti militant operations in Kulgam’s forests and remote areas.
Yet history is not static. Societies evolve, communities heal, and regions long associated with conflict can begin writing new chapters. The scenes witnessed in Kulgam this week offered a glimpse of such a transformation.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s “Drug Free J&K Pad Yatra” was not merely an administrative event. It carried a deeper symbolism. Thousands of people, including students, teachers, community leaders, volunteers, and ordinary citizens, walked together through the streets of Kulgam with a message centred on public health, youth empowerment, and social responsibility.
The significance of this moment lies not only in the anti-drug campaign itself but in the fact that such a mass public mobilisation took place in a district once known primarily for unrest. The roads that had witnessed years of tension became the route for a peaceful people’s march. The slogans were not about conflict but about saving young lives from addiction and building a healthier future.
South Kashmir’s challenges have changed over time. While militancy dominated public discourse for many years, drug abuse has emerged as a serious social threat affecting families and communities across the region. Recognising this shift, the administration’s decision to take the campaign directly to the people reflects an understanding that security alone cannot build lasting peace. Social reform, public awareness, education, and community participation are equally important pillars of stability.
The Pad Yatra also demonstrated a governance style that seeks visibility and public engagement. Rather than confining anti-drug messaging to official meetings and government offices, the campaign entered towns, schools, and neighbourhoods. The large participation witnessed in Kulgam suggested that many citizens are willing to become stakeholders in this effort.
Credit must be given to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for sustaining focus on social issues alongside security concerns. The administration’s anti-narcotics campaign has combined awareness drives, enforcement measures, and rehabilitation initiatives. Recent announcements regarding rehabilitation centres for recovering addicts indicate an approach that balances punishment for traffickers with support for those struggling with addiction.
Of course, no one should assume that all of Kashmir’s problems have disappeared. The region continues to face economic, political, and social challenges. Lasting transformation requires sustained effort over many years. However, symbols matter. Public events can reflect deeper shifts taking place within society.
Kulgam’s story is still being written. Its history includes pain, sacrifice, and years of turmoil. But it is also becoming a story of resilience and renewal. When thousands gather not for protest, fear, or mourning, but for a collective social cause, it signals that communities are beginning to imagine a different future.
The image of a Pad Yatra winding through Kulgam’s streets may not erase the memories of violence. Yet it offers something equally important: hope. Hope that South Kashmir can increasingly be known not for conflict, but for its determination to overcome old challenges and confront new ones together.
