Punjab Government on Wednesday claimed that its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign has achieved unprecedented success in its mission to eradicate the drug menace from the state. In just five days, from March 1 to 5, the campaign has resulted in the registration of 580 FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the arrest of 789 drug peddlers, and the seizure of 74 kg of heroin, 19.5 kg of opium, and 77 kg of synthetic drugs. Additionally, 27.7 kg of heroin and Rs 3.06 lakh in drug money were recovered on the fifth day alone, bringing the total arrests to 547 in this short span.
The campaign, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has not only targeted drug peddlers but also dismantled the financial networks supporting the drug trade. Around 60 buildings linked to drug trafficking and illegal encroachments on government land, amassed through illicit trade, have been demolished. These properties, worth crores of rupees, were razed to send a strong message that the state will no longer tolerate the drug menace.
The Punjab Government has adopted a comprehensive three-pronged strategy — Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP) — to tackle the drug crisis. Under the enforcement pillar, over 200 police teams, led by 80 senior officers, conducted raids at 356 locations across the state, checking 416 suspicious persons and registering 48 FIRs in a single day. Special DGP Arpit Shukla emphasized that the police are committed to making Punjab drug-free within three months, as directed by the Chief Minister.
The deaddiction efforts have also seen significant progress, with six individuals convinced to undergo rehabilitation treatment. Simultaneously, the prevention pillar has focused on raising awareness about the detrimental effects of drugs. On March 5 alone, 165 awareness events were organized across the State, engaging communities and encouraging youth to adopt healthier lifestyles through sports, education, and cultural activities.