Chief Kashmir cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, emphasized the need for an alcohol ban to effectively tackle the drug issue in the Union Territory. He expressed concerns about the detrimental effects of both drugs and alcohol on society, highlighting the inconsistency in addressing one while ignoring the other. Mirwaiz Umar pointed out that several Indian states, despite not being Muslim-majority, have imposed restrictions on alcohol due to its harmful impact.
Reiterating his demand for a complete alcohol ban, Mirwaiz Umar stressed that the anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir must also target liquor to combat its destructive influence on families. He urged authorities to ensure that the drug crackdown is not biased towards specific regions and does not lead to the unjust harassment of innocent families. The ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan’ has seen intensified police operations against drug-related activities.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in support of the anti-drug efforts, announced additional punitive measures against drug offenders, including the confiscation of passports, Aadhaar cards, driving licenses, and seizure of properties acquired through drug trafficking. These actions align with the prescribed penalties under anti-drug laws, aiming to deter drug smuggling activities effectively.
