Srinagar, May 2 -- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the narcotics trade in Jammu and Kashmir has a "direct link" with terrorism, asserting that the administration is stepping up efforts to dismantle drug networks and curb rising addiction among youth.

Speaking with reporters in Lok Bawan LG Sinha said that despite sustained efforts since 2021 under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the scale of drug abuse particularly among young men and women remains a serious concern.

"We have achieved some success, but not to the extent we had hoped. The increasing addiction among youth is worrying and demands collective action," he said.

The LG said the administration has adopted a three-pronged strategy targeting supply chains, expand...