Srinagar, April 30 -- Just 18 days into the drug free Jammu and Kashmir campaign, the police have arrested over 296 drug peddlers and registered over 281 cases in Kashmir under NDPS Act, officials said on Wednesday. A police spokesperson said that Kashmir inspector general of police VK Birdi and divisional commissioner Anshul Garg co-chaired a joint meeting to assess the implementation and progress of the 100-day 'Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan' launched by the lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha of on April 11, at PCR Kashmir. The meeting was attended by all the senior police officers of Kashmir. The campaign was started as a time-bound and outcome-oriented initiative to intensify the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the Union Territory, directing all concerned departments and enforcement agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against drug peddling. "They apprised that sustained enforcement drives under the NDPS Act have led to the arrest of more than 296 drug peddlers, registration of over 281 cases, and identification of key hotspots," the spokesperson said. The officers also briefed the chair that about 460 awareness programmes organised to sensitise the general public, especially students, about the ill effects of drug abuse. "They further informed the senior officers that illegal cultivation of contraband on about 15 kanals of land was destroyed and several chemist shops found violating drug regulations were sealed as part of sustained eradication drives, besides properties linked to drug trafficking were identified and attached under relevant provisions of law," the spokesperson said. Deputy Commissioners apprised the meeting about the measures being taken under the campaign and the progress achieved at the district level. "IGP stressed strict action against offenders, with a focus on dismantling drug trafficking networks through sustained enforcement, strengthening intelligence-led operations, and ensuring effective prosecution to secure higher conviction rates," the spokesperson said....