Friday, June 5, 2026 – In what was billed as a high-visibility demonstration of state intent, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha personally led an anti-drug padyatra through Ganderbal town this morning, drawing thousands of participants from across civil society, educational institutions, and youth organisations. The march, originating from Madri Meherban Stadium, proceeded through designated routes with placards and slogans aimed at raising awareness about the hazards of narcotics.
Addressing the assembled crowd, the LG issued a direct appeal to the region’s youth, urging them to reject narcotics and to channel their energies into building what he described as a healthier, more productive society. The event is part of a 100-day administration-wide anti-drug campaign that incorporates awareness drives, community mobilisation, and coordinated enforcement action targeting trafficking networks — including those with suspected links to narco-terror financing channels across the border.
Officials noted that security arrangements were robust throughout the march and that the event passed off peacefully. The administration has been intensifying these public-facing campaigns in recent months as drug abuse, particularly among adolescents and young men in the Valley and Jammu region, has drawn increasing alarm from health officials, educators, and community leaders. Today’s padyatra in Ganderbal was chosen strategically, given the district’s relatively younger demographic profile and its proximity to Srinagar. The LG’s decision to lead the march personally signals how seriously the administration is treating the issue at the highest level of governance.
