Srinagar, Apr 23: Imams and management committees of various mosques in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir have joined the government’s “war on drugs”, using their religious platform to create awareness against drug abuse, officials said on Thursday.
“In a significant community-driven initiative against the drug menace, mosques across Anantnag have extended full support to the ongoing efforts of the police in combating drug abuse and illegal narcotic cultivation,” a police official said.
During congregational gatherings and through loudspeaker announcements, imams and mosque committees appealed to the public to actively participate in the “war against drugs” and refrain from engaging in or supporting any form of illegal crop cultivation, particularly narcotic substances such as cannabis and opium poppy, he said.
The announcements emphasised the social, moral, and legal consequences of drug abuse and illicit cultivation, and highlighted the importance of collective responsibility, urging families and community members to report such activities to the authorities, he said.
The police appreciated the “proactive and responsible role” played by religious institutions, terming it a strong example of police-public partnership, the official said.
“Such coordinated efforts are expected to significantly contribute to the success of anti-drug campaigns and the eradication of illegal cultivation in the region,” he said. ( PTI )
