Determined to eradicate the drug menace from its soil, Punjab has set a definitive deadline to achieve a drug-free status by May 31, this year. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has issued clear and strict directives to all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs), making them personally accountable for ensuring that their districts are purged of drugs within the stipulated timeframe.

Under the ambitious ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab’ (Drug-Free Punjab) campaign, which forms a crucial part of the broader ‘Yudh Nashe De Virudh (War Against Drugs) initiative, DGP Yadav has asked every district police chief to draw up a concrete action plan. These plans must detail specific strategies to dismantle drug networks and prevent drug-related activities. Officers have been warned that failure to achieve tangible results will lead to stringent disciplinary action. The message is unequivocal — there will be no tolerance for laxity, and individual accountability will be strictly enforced.

This aggressive push aligned with the Punjab Government’s sharpened focus on fulfilling one of its most significant promises to the electorate — a promise that helped propel the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to power. With less than two years remaining for the 2027 Assembly elections, the Government is moving swiftly to consolidate public trust. The recent Delhi Assembly polls served as a wake-up call, highlighting the political risks of perceived inaction. Determined not to let history repeat itself, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has galvanized the entire state machinery to intensify the war against drugs.

To ensure effective execution, a high-powered committee of five Ministers, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has been constituted. This committee is tasked with overseeing the campaign’s progress, gathering feedback from the ground, and reporting directly to the party high command. Their mandate is clear — leave no gaps, and deliver results.

On the ground, the campaign has already gathered significant momentum. More than 67 luxurious properties, illicitly built by drug traffickers, have been demolished using bulldozers — a symbolic and material blow to the drug cartels. According to AAP spokesperson Neel Garg, authorities have registered over 4,659 FIRs and arrested 7,414 individuals involved in drug trafficking. The drive has been uncompromising, and under the latest directives, SSPs and CPs have been instructed to ensure no traces of drug peddling remain post-May 31.

Chief Minister Mann has been vocal about his Government’s zero-tolerance policy, declaring that those who have darkened the homes of others with the scourge of drugs will not be allowed to celebrate Diwali-like festivities in their own homes. Alongside law enforcement measures, the Government is also emphasizing rehabilitation, aiming to help those suffering from addiction rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

Recognizing the growing threat posed by technological innovations in drug smuggling, particularly through drones, the Punjab Government is preparing to acquire advanced anti-drone technology. Mann pointed out the alarming ease with which drones are currently bought and used for cross-border smuggling, in contrast to the strict regulations surrounding SIM card purchases. He has urged the Central Government to formulate a comprehensive drone policy to plug this dangerous loophole.

AAP LEADERS APPLAUD MISSION TO TRANSFORM PUNJAB INTO A DRUG-FREE STATE

AAP leadership on Sunday hailed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s bold initiative to clamp down on drug traffickers and set a firm May 31 deadline for a drug-free Punjab. Party leaders praised the campaign as a historic move to transform the state from ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Rangla Punjab’.

Lauding the Chief Minister's leadership, AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura commended DGP Yadav’s strict orders to all SSPs and CPs to ensure the arrest of every drug trafficker by the deadline. Giaspura said that the government’s clear and unwavering stance has sent a strong message to criminal networks operating in the state.

Providing key updates, AAP leader Deepak Bali revealed that since the launch of the anti-drug campaign, the police have registered 4,659 FIRs, arrested 7,414 drug traffickers, demolished 67 properties built with illegal drug money, and conducted 67 encounters. Massive quantities of heroin, opium, marijuana, and bhukki have been seized, underscoring the government's zero-tolerance approach.

AAP’s spokesperson Neel Garg emphasized that any lapse post-deadline will lead to direct action against responsible officers, reflecting the government's seriousness in eliminating the drug menace.

Highlighting the twin-pronged strategy, AAP leaders — Babbi Badal and Shaminder Khinda — stressed that while traffickers are being arrested, efforts to strengthen drug rehabilitation centers are also underway to provide addicts a fresh start.

Dr Sunny Ahluwalia applauded Panchayats for passing resolutions against drug traffickers, calling grassroots support vital. He sharply criticized previous governments for enabling drug cartels, contrasting it with the Mann Government’s decisive actions aimed at securing a better future for Punjab’s youth.

Illegal Properties of Drug Peddlers Demolished in Lakhanpal

Jalandhar: In a major crackdown under Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashe Virudh’ campaign, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on Sunday demolished illegal constructions linked to drug traffickers in Lakhanpal village, once notorious as a major drug hotspot.

Leading the operation, Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said that the structures were illegally built on government land by Hardeep Singh alias Deepa — a history-sheeter with nine cases against him, including seven under the NDPS Act. His father Sarbjit Singh and brother Sandeep alias Sonu also faced multiple criminal charges. The encroachments, police revealed, were being misused by peddlers to evade capture during raids.

By razing these structures, police have cut off critical escape routes used by drug traffickers. “We are determined to cleanse Lakhanpal’s image and intensify our operations,” said CP Dhanpreet Kaur.

Earlier, nine drug peddlers were arrested during the crackdown, while several others fled, locking their homes. Police have also identified two properties for freezing under the NDPS Act to further tighten the noose around the drug mafia.

Significantly, the Lakhanpal panchayat passed a formal resolution pledging full support to the anti-drug campaign, banning drug trade and consumption in the village. The residents welcomed the bulldozer action and pledged cooperation. Citizens have been urged to report drug-related information via WhatsApp at 9779-100-200, with confidentiality assured.