Safe Punjab Helpline Hallmark of Anti-Drug Campaign
On Completion of 500 Days of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, Punjab Police Reaffirms Its Fight Against Drug Cartels Through Enforcement and Community Policing
CHANDIGARH, July 19:
Punjab Police’s three-pronged strategy of strict enforcement, community participation and preventive education has emerged as the hallmark of its flagship anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh. Over the 500 days since its launch, the campaign has dealt significant blows to the narcotics trade while mobilising communities to play an active role in the fight against drugs.
On completion of 500 days of Yudh Nashian Virudh, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said the period has witnessed one of the most intensive crackdowns on drug traffickers in the state’s history through sustained enforcement, intelligence-led operations and community policing. He said the sustained crackdown has resulted in record arrests, major drug seizures and the dismantling of organised trafficking networks.
“Ever since the campaign was launched on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police has registered 52,432 FIRs under the NDPS Act and apprehended more than 68,850 drug traffickers. Of these, 629 major traffickers, each found in possession of more than two kilograms of heroin, collectively worth around ₹12 crore, have been arrested,” he said.
Complementing the enforcement drive, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has also provided 10,917 individuals with an opportunity to rebuild their lives by extending immunity from prosecution under Section 64A of the NDPS Act, enabling them to seek treatment and rehabilitation instead of punishment.
Punjab Police has simultaneously targeted the financial backbone of drug cartels by attaching and confiscating properties acquired through the proceeds of the drug trade. ADGP Nilabh Kishore, Chief of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), said, “During the campaign, properties worth ₹319 crore belonging to drug traffickers were attached or confiscated. Illegal structures raised on government land using proceeds from the drug trade have also been demolished. These actions send a strong message of Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers and the illegal wealth generated through narcotics.”
Another hallmark of the campaign has been growing public participation through the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200). The helpline has received 46,342 anonymous tip-offs, leading to the arrest of 22,960 drug traffickers. The overwhelming response reflects growing public confidence in Punjab Police and demonstrates the success of community policing by encouraging citizens to report drug-related activities without fear.
Punjab Police is also focused on ensuring that investigations result in successful prosecutions. DGP Yadav said, “With an 89 per cent conviction rate in NDPS cases—the highest in the country—the force attributes its success to high-quality investigations, improved evidence collection and close coordination with prosecution agencies.”
Apart from sustained enforcement, Punjab Police is also working in close coordination with over 24,000 Village Defence Committees, comprising more than 1.25 lakh members, which report suspicious activities and support intelligence gathering at the village level. Additionally, awareness drives, sports events, interactive youth programmes and public meetings are being organised across the state in collaboration with educational institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders to build community resilience against substance abuse.
While the completion of 500 days marks an important milestone, Punjab Police views it as another step in its sustained campaign to eliminate the drug menace from the state. DGP Yadav said the force will continue to intensify its crackdown on organised drug syndicates, strengthen investigations to dismantle trafficking networks and further reinforce community policing by encouraging citizens to become active stakeholders in building a drug-free Punjab.
