In a notable shift within the region’s sociopolitical landscape, a splinter group of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Jammu and Kashmir officially announced its full support for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s ongoing anti-drug campaign on Tuesday. The breakaway faction declared its alignment with the administration’s “NashaMukt J&K” (Drug-Free J&K) initiative during a press briefing in Srinagar, citing an urgent need to save the local youth from an escalating narcotics crisis. Operating amidst a changing security environment, the group’s leadership emphasized that combating the drug menace transcends political and ideological divides, framing their involvement as a moral and social obligation to protect the next generation from substance abuse.
The endorsement marks a significant departure from the traditional stance of the socio-religious organization, which was banned by the central government in 2019. Observers note that this faction of Jamaat, which has recently shown a willingness to engage with democratic processes, is leveraging its grassroots network to tackle social evils. By backing the Lieutenant Governor’s drive, the group aims to establish rehabilitation frameworks and community-led awareness programs across various districts.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has heavily intensified its crackdown on narco-terrorism and local drug trafficking networks over the past year. Welcoming the civil society support, official sources stated that community-driven initiatives are vital to completely dismantling the supply chains and reducing demand. Local residents have expressed cautious optimism, hoping that the collective focus of both the administration and traditional social structures will effectively curb the rising rates of addiction among the youth.
