Chandigarh, May 16- In a step aimed at making Punjab Drug-Free, former Delhi Chief Minister and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal made an announcement on Friday. He intends to take the war against drugs to the village and street level with active support from people.

Punjab on Path to Become Drug-Free: Kejriwal

Addressing the gathering at Langroya (SBS Nagar) today, the former Delhi Chief Minister said that the state government has cracked the backbone of the drug network and will soon eliminate it completely. He said that the Nasha Mukti Yatra will touch every village and town of the state. Its goal is to galvanize people in this war against drugs. This will help Punjab be made completely drug free. Arvind Kejriwal categorically said that the day is not far. Due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab will not only be drug free. It will also be a frontrunner state in the country. The former Delhi Chief Minister congratulated Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government for the resounding success of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh. He said it is heartening to see these changes. The villages that were hotspots of drugs are now turning drug-free. This transformation is due to the concerted efforts of the state government. Arvind Kejriwal said that Bollywood movies earlier highlighted the scourge of drugs.Now the times have changed. The youth of the state are excelling in the arena of sports.

Drug-Free ; 10,000 Smugglers Arrested, 8,500 ‘Big Fish’: Kejriwal

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that earlier the Ministers of previous regimes used to patronize drug lords. They would even sell or supply the drugs in their government vehicles. “He said the Police are now seizing drugs in quantities as large as quintals. They are taking strict punitive action to deter others. Arvind Kejriwal stated that, unlike in the past when the state protected drug lords, authorities have now arrested 10,000 drug smugglers, including 8,500 major offenders.” The former Delhi Chief Minister said that it was the firm resolve of the state government. No one will be allowed to sell drugs. They have been successful in achieving this. He said that drug smugglers are dreaded criminals. We have taken strict action against them. We did this without even bothering about our lives. Arvind Kejriwal said that we may lose our lives in this fight against drugs. However, we will completely wipe out drugs from the state.

“Kejriwal Calls for Mass Movement Against Drugs

The national convener of AAP urged everyone to come forward and actively contribute to the war against drugs, even if AAP leaders face threats to their lives. He stated that authorities have already confiscated and destroyed drug smugglers’ properties and will continue the campaign in the future. He added that they are now transforming Yudh Nasheyan Virudh into a full-scale mass movement against drugs, which requires the active support of the people. Arvind Kejriwal said they will take the war against drugs to the ground level and conduct interactions in all of the state’s approximately 13,000 villages. The former Delhi Chief Minister said that in order to channelize the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive manner, the state government will construct a stadium in every village of the state. Arvind Kejriwal said the government will construct 3,000 gyms in 3,000 major villages across the state to promote sports in a big way. He added that the state has already provided around 54,000 jobs to the youth and has now prepared foolproof plans to ensure employment opportunities in every village.