Punjab’s sacred soil will no longer harbour the seeds of criminality, declared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday, while addressing the passing out parade of 2,490 new cops at the renowned Jahan Khela campus.
“Gangsters, smugglers, criminals and other anti-social elements have no place on the sacred land of Punjab and they will soon be wiped out from the state.
Issuing a stern warning to gangsters, smugglers, criminals and anti-social elements, Mann said: “No place for you on the sacred land of Punjab…They will soon be wiped out from the state.” In his impassioned address, he outlined a decisive crusade against drugs, asserting that the State Government is determined to eradicate narcotics and criminal networks once and for all.
With a zero tolerance policy, Punjab is poised to dismantle drug supply lines, imprison peddlers, and confiscate the assets of those who have long tarnished its heritage.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Chief Minister recalled Punjab’s illustrious past, where saints, seers, martyrs, legendary players, and generals once set the gold standard of valour and righteousness. He lamented that previous administrations allowed criminal elements to embed themselves within the state. Now, however, a new era is dawning. “Our government has launched a full-scale crusade to weed out these anti-national forces,” Mann declared.
“Being a border state, a number of forces inimical to State have been chalking out nefarious designs to disturb hard earned peace of state but the Punjab Police has always foiled such attempts…To further overcome major challenges faced by the state, it is imperative that the Police force is updated as per advanced requirements in the field of investigation, science and technology,” he said.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of law enforcement in this mission, he urged the newly-inducted cops to be the vanguard in the war against drugs, pledging that their dedication and hard work will restore Punjab’s sanctity and secure its future.
The Chief Minister also underscored the comprehensive steps being taken to modernize and bolster the Punjab Police. Since 2022, over 10,000 young recruits have joined the force, and a further 10,000 new cops are slated for induction, ensuring that the police force remains agile and technologically equipped to face modern challenges. “Our police must be updated with the latest in investigation, science, and technology to effectively counter the evolving methods of criminals,” he stated, recognizing that a well-trained and advanced force is crucial in this war. Mann’s message was clear: every officer must contribute to dismantling the drug trade and restoring public trust.
In a further display of the government’s proactive measures, Mann highlighted the innovative initiative of the dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force. Deployed along 4,200 km of state and national highways, this elite unit of 1,597 specially trained personnel – including women officers – has been instrumental in reducing highway casualties by 48.10 percent since its launch last February.
Equipped with 144 state-of-the-art vehicles, the force not only ensures road safety but also serves as a deterrent against traffic violations and related crimes. Praised in the Parliament by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the initiative stands as a model of effective governance and commitment to public welfare.
At the same time, the Chief Minister warned the fissiparous forces that their evil designs to create communal strife would be nipped in the bud.
BOX-------------I
Punjab Police Continues Massive Crackdown, Demolitions: 510 Raids, 43 More Arrests
PNS/Chandigarh
Punjab’s relentless “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign reached a fever pitch on its second day as Punjab Police launched a coordinated assault across all 28 districts. Over 510 targeted raids resulted in the arrest of 43 drug smugglers and the registration of 27 FIRs, marking a decisive blow in the state’s battle against narcotics. During these operations, authorities seized 776 grams of heroin, 14 kg of opium, 38 kg of poppy husk, and 2,615 units of various intoxicant tablets and injections, along with recovering Rs 4.6 lakh in drug money.
In a forceful extension of this offensive, the campaign also saw the razing of illegal structures in Phillaur’s Khanpur and Mandi villages — edifices erected by notorious traffickers that have long supported the drug trade. This dual-pronged strike, combining aggressive raids with the demolition of criminal hideouts, underscored the government’s commitment to dismantling the entire drug network that has plagued the state.
The operation is part of a comprehensive strategy outlined by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who has vowed to transform Punjab into a drug-free state within three months. The government’s resolve is further reinforced by a three-pronged approach — Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP). To ensure success, a specialized five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has been established to monitor every aspect of the crackdown.
As the battle intensifies, police officials liken the campaign to a full-scale war, with strategic maneuvers, coordinated raids, and targeted demolitions aimed at dismantling deeply entrenched criminal networks. Senior officers stressed that such measures are crucial not only for seizing contraband but also for sending a resounding message to those who thrive on impunity.
With the latest arrests, the total number of smugglers apprehended in just two days reached 333, storming 1,022 locations. Over 300 police teams, including 2,000 personnel, were deployed under the supervision of 101 senior officers, conducting targeted raids and checking 619 suspicious individuals.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla assured that the state police will continue these intensive operations until every trace of the drug trade is eliminated.
Beyond law enforcement, the Punjab Police is also focusing on prevention and awareness, organizing 510 awareness programs, seminars, and public meetings — designed to mobilize community support against narcotics — in all police districts. These efforts aim to educate people on the detrimental effects of drug abuse and encourage community participation in the fight against narcotics.
The demolition of the structures in Phillaur stood as a striking testament to the government’s unwavering determination. Local authorities and residents in the affected villages have welcomed these decisive actions.
Jalandhar Rural Police, in coordination with local administration, demolished unauthorized structures built on encroached panchayat land in Khanpur and Mandi villages of Phillaur. The land, which was illegally occupied by two known drug smugglers, was reclaimed and restored to the village panchayat after following legal procedures.
Jalandhar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said: “The demolition was conducted at the request of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Phillaur. The action targeted Jasvir Singh alias Sheera of Khanpur and Bholi, wife of Rampal alias Rama, of Mandi, both of whom have long histories of drug trafficking.”
Official records show that Bholi has multiple cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including a 1.190 kg smack recovery in 2005, a two-kg poppy husk seizure in 2015, and another major drug haul in 2022. Jasvir alias Sheera has also been booked in multiple cases, including one involving commercial quantities of charas and intoxicant injections.
The police, along with revenue and panchayat officials, ensured a smooth demolition process with adequate security deployment. Authorities confirmed that the occupied land rightfully belongs to the gram panchayat, and its reclamation marked a significant step in cutting off resources for drug traffickers.
Local residents, led by village sarpanch Paramjit Kaur, expressed relief and optimism, noting that such stringent actions bolster community safety and signal an unyielding commitment to eradicating the drug menace. Local community leaders have hailed these decisive actions as a turning point in the ongoing struggle against narcotics, boosting morale and instilling hope for a safer, drug-free future.
BOX-------------II
CM HANDS OVER CHEQUES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WORTH RS 1 CRORE (EACH) TO FAMILY OF FIVE COPS
Hoshiarpur: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday personally handed over cheques worth Rs one crore each to the families of five brave cops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The financial assistance was presented to the bereaved families of ASI (LR) Balwinder Singh, ASI (LR) Naseeb Chand, ASI (LR) Anil Kumar, Head Constable Manjinder Singh, and Constable Inderjit Singh, whose selfless service and unwavering commitment have become a beacon of courage for the state.
Mann, during the passing out parade at Jahan Khela, reiterated the State Government’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the interests of its police force. “It is our duty to support the families of our fallen heroes,” Mann declared, emphasizing that this initiative reflects Punjab’s deep respect for the sacrifices made by its law enforcement personnel.
The assistance aims not only to provide financial security but also to inspire the youth to serve the nation with honour and dedication.
