Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared a heightened offensive against drug peddlers and smugglers, stating that the state government’s anti-drug initiative has entered its concluding phase. During a review meeting of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, which commenced on March 1, 2025, Mann called for a decisive action to eradicate the drug menace in the region. He underscored the transition of the fight against drugs from a purely police-led initiative to a movement involving the entire community.

Enhanced Efforts to Target Drug Hotspots

In his meeting with various government officials, including deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police from across Punjab, Mann directed them to focus on remaining drug hotspots and enhance collaboration with local residents. The aim is to identify and dismantle the networks supplying illicit drugs. He emphasised the involvement of community members in helping to tackle the issue and noted that this collaboration is essential for effective outreach and intervention.

The Chief Minister stated that 14,846 Village Defence Committees (VDCs), comprising 74,230 active members, are currently operational throughout Punjab. Mann highlighted that of these, 3,808 committees with 36,814 members are particularly engaged in border regions, where the identification of drug-smuggling networks is crucial. He reported a 41 per cent increase in feedback from the VDCs, pointing to greater public engagement in the campaign against drug abuse.

As of January 2026, police have registered 4,129 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrested 5,589 alleged drug smugglers, primarily due to alerts received from these VDCs. Mann assured that these complaints are being acted upon swiftly, reinforcing the government’s intelligence and feedback mechanisms at the grassroots level.

Role of Technology in Fighting Drug Abuse

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the significance of the Safe Punjab app, which has enabled citizens to report drug-related activities. Over the past year, it has facilitated the registration of approximately 19,310 FIRs and has led to the arrest of 25,138 individuals suspected of drug-related crimes. Mann noted that these figures demonstrate the shift from a police-dominated approach to a community-driven movement in the fight against drug abuse.

While asserting that the state government has made substantial progress in dismantling the supply chains of illicit drugs, Mann cautioned against complacency. He mentioned that, although significant achievements have been made, the ongoing vigilance is crucial to maintain and further these efforts. The commitment to tackling the issue of drug abuse remains steadfast, illustrating the government’s resolve to foster a safer Punjab.

Through the combined efforts of law enforcement, community participation, and technological tools, the Punjab government aims to create a robust framework to combat drug-related issues. As the final phase of this campaign unfolds, officials are urged to prioritise collaboration with citizens to ensure complete eradication of the drug menace from the state.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share