CHANDIGARH, March 2 Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann continues to lead the fight against drugs. This campaign, “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” aims to eradicate the drug menace from the state. For the second consecutive day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 510 locations. This effort led to the arrest of 43 drug smugglers after registering 27 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 333 in just two days.

Punjab Police Seize Drugs Worth Lakhs in Statewide Crackdown

Police teams have also recovered 776 grams of heroin. They confiscated 14 kg of opium and 38 kg of poppy husk. Additionally, they seized 2615 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and Rs 4.60 lakh in drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav directed the operation. It was conducted from 9am to 4pm. The operation occurred simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has issued a directive. He asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. This should be achieved in the coming three months. The Punjab government has taken further action. They have established a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema leads this committee to monitor the war against drugs. Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 300 Police teams, comprising over 2000 police personnel, under the supervision of 101 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 619 suspicious persons during the day long operation He said that Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy. The police will continue these operations until they eradicate the scourge of drugs from the state. The Special DGP said the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP)—to eradicate drugs from the state. As part of the ‘Prevention’ pillar, Punjab Police organise various events to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and gain public support in the fight against drugs. He added that police held 510 awareness events, including camps, seminars, and public meetings, on Sunday across all 28 districts.