In a determined push to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the State, the Punjab Government on Wednesday launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening its ongoing battle against narcotics. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), which replaces the existing Special Task Force (STF) — marking a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to combat the drug crisis that has plagued Punjab for years.

The newly established ANTF has been designed to operate with enhanced capabilities and resources. The task force will be headquartered at a renovated facility in Mohali’s Sector-79, with the building’s refurbishment costing the state Rs 90 lakh. The move, according to the Chief Minister, is a critical step in the government’s mission to create a drug-free Punjab.

The ANTF has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a specialized team to monitor and tackle drug-related activities, including the use of modern communication tools by traffickers. A dedicated State Intelligence and Technical Unit (SITU) has been established within the force to focus on tracking drug movements and coordinating real-time information with ground teams.

Making it clear that the Task Force is not an old wine in a new bottle, but “this new special force has been equipped with additional manpower, resources and technology to combat the menace of drugs effectively”.

To involve the public in this fight, the Punjab Government has launched an Anti-Drug Helpline and WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200), enabling citizens to anonymously report drug trafficking activities. The Chief Minister emphasized that the identity of informants will be protected, and they will receive updates on the actions taken based on their information.

“This helpline will provide ordinary citizens and drug addicts an opportunity to inform about the drug traffickers and ensure medical help for the addicts who intend to undergo de-addiction. This will help in curbing the drug trafficking at grass root level and identifying the big fishes involved in this heinous crime,” he said.

Given Punjab’s 553-kilometer border with Pakistan, the state is particularly vulnerable to cross-border drug smuggling. In response, the Government has launched a Rs 40 crore project to install surveillance cameras along strategic points within a 500-kilometer stretch of the border. These cameras, coupled with an additional Rs 20 crore allocated for mobility improvements and infrastructure enhancement, aim to tighten security and prevent the inflow of narcotics.

“Though the Police is combating new challenges in the form drones and smuggling from across the border, Punjab Police is discharging its duty efficiently. Special law officers have been attached along with every Police Station to ensure that the drug cases sustain legal proceedings,” he said, adding that since day one, the State Government has ensured that there is no political patronization of the drug peddlers in the state.

The ANTF will see a substantial increase in manpower, with the force’s strength nearly doubled from 400 to 800 personnel. This expansion is part of a broader recruitment drive within the Punjab Police, which includes the creation of 10,000 new posts. The task force will also benefit from the addition of 14 new Mahindra Scorpio vehicles, funded by Rs 12 crore allocation from the current financial year’s budget.

Moreover, the government has earmarked Rs 10 crore from the Punjab State Cancer and Drug Addiction Treatment Infrastructure Fund (CADA Fund) to support the task force's operations, including the implementation of the Enforcement-De-Addiction-Prevention (EDP) strategy.

n a clear message to drug traffickers, Chief Minister Mann highlighted the recent confiscation of properties from drug smugglers. The government’s zero-tolerance policy has led to the arrest of several high-profile individuals involved in the drug trade, with legal proceedings initiated against them. “Many big fishes involved in drug peddling have been put behind the bars and FIRs have been launched against them…Properties worth Rs 173 crore belonging to 379 drug smugglers have been confiscated and more are in process,” he added.

The Government’s efforts have already begun to yield results, with a noticeable increase in school enrollments and a reverse trend in youth migration abroad, as young people choose to stay and contribute to Punjab’s development.

The Chief Minister announced the transfer of numerous police officials at the lower levels who have held their positions for an extended period. These transfers, occurring across various divisions, aim to dismantle any existing connections with drug smugglers. Reports had surfaced that some officers were involved with drug peddlers, prompting this decisive action.

In a significant move, the State Government will offer special grants to villages in Punjab that have successfully eradicated drug use. These grants will fund the promotion of sports and development of sports infrastructure, channeling the youth’s energy in a constructive direction. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Punjab's young athletes will soon bring even more international honors to the nation.

Addressing concerns about land acquisition for highway projects, the Chief Minister called on the Union Government and NHAI to treat Punjab’s fertile land with due consideration. He clarified that the issue is not about law and order but rather about settling fair compensation rates. The Chief Minister assured that the land acquisition process in Punjab is proceeding smoothly, with the Union Government fully briefed on the situation.

The Chief Minister also addressed the recent controversial statements made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, urging the party to control its members to prevent the spread of misinformation and unrest. Mann criticized the BJP's tendency to dismiss such statements as personal views, insisting that they reflect on the party as a whole. “They are vitiating the country’s atmosphere by their venomous statements. Rather than concentrating on the welfare of people of Mandi segment, which has elected Kangana, she is repeatedly hurting the sentiments of Punjabis through her baseless statements,” he said.

“Merely stating that these are personal views of the MPs doesn’t absolve the saffron party from its responsibility,” he added.