In a decisive move against the rampant drug menace in Punjab, Chief Secretary Anurag Verma on Monday directed all the Deputy Commissioners to prioritize immediate furnishing of information about the properties of drug smugglers to the police.
The directive follows complaints from the Punjab Police about delays from the Revenue Department in providing necessary information for actions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. The directive also came in the wake of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s intensified campaign to eradicate drug trafficking in the state.
The Chief Minister, the previous week, had outlined a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy aimed at wiping out the drug scourge, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms in policing and stricter enforcement of existing laws.
During a high-level meeting with top police officials, Mann disclosed several new measures designed to bolster law enforcement capabilities and integrity. Among these was the decision to transfer over 10,000 police personnel across various divisions to disrupt any existing collusion between lower-level officers and drug peddlers.
The Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of breaking these illicit networks to restore public trust and enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug operations. “In our relentless fight against drug trafficking, we are leaving no stone unturned. Any police personnel found complicit in these activities will face immediate and severe consequences,” he said.
Following the Chief Minister's firm stance, Chief Secretary Verma's order mandates that all Deputy Commissioners ensure the swift identification and seizure of drug traffickers’ properties. The move is expected to significantly disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting drug operations in Punjab. The directive stipulates that any property identified as being associated with drug smuggling must be confiscated, attached, or frozen within a week.
“The Revenue Department must treat requests for information on such properties with utmost urgency. Delays are unacceptable as they hamper our ability to swiftly dismantle drug networks,” he said.
In addition to the seizure directive, the Punjab government plans to enhance the Punjab Police force by creating 10,000 new posts. This expansion aimed at strengthening the police’s capacity to combat crime effectively and provide new employment opportunities for the state's youth. “The creation of new posts in the Punjab Police is a critical component of our strategy. It will not only help in controlling crime but also offer valuable job opportunities to our young citizens,” he said.
The State Government reassured its citizens that these stringent measures are part of a broader effort to eradicate the drug menace and restore law and order in Punjab. CM Mann and Chief Secretary Verma had both emphasized their commitment to a drug-free Punjab, ensuring that all necessary steps will be taken to protect the health and safety of the public.
“We are committed to eradicating this scourge from our society. Our policies will be implemented with the highest level of diligence and zeal. The properties of those involved in drug trafficking will be seized, and they will face the full force of the law,” CM Mann had said in the meeting.
