– Dr. Balbir Singh Leads Grassroots Engagement in Villages
– MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli Mobilizes Urban Communities
Patiala, 29 May:
As part of the Nasha Mukti Yatra initiated by Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Patiala MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli conducted multiple outreach programs across the Patiala district to intensify the fight against drug abuse.
Dr. Balbir Singh visited the villages of Sidhuwal, Bakhshiwala, Kath Mathi, Lachkani, Lang, and Siuna, where he held meetings with Village Defense Committees and local residents. During these interactions, residents took pledges to eliminate drugs from their communities. Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the Nasha Mukti Yatra has received a strong and enthusiastic response from the people of Patiala. He urged the committees to actively support government initiatives and to unite villagers in the mission to end drug abuse. He also appealed to families to bring addicts to government-run de-addiction centers for free and proper treatment. Dr. Balbir Singh said that Punjab’s youth are beginning to free themselves from the grip of addiction and the state is moving steadily towards becoming a healthier Punjab. He added that drug traffickers no longer receive political protection and are being dealt with strictly.
In urban Patiala, MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli led the campaign in Wards 36, 53, and 33. He engaged with local residents and youth, encouraging their active participation in the anti-drug movement. He noted that the state government’s actions against drug traffickers have disrupted supply chains and led to arrests. Kohli was joined by Harpreet Singh, Harman Sandhu, and Geeta Devi, and together they mobilized residents to take pledges against drugs. He emphasized that the Nasha Mukti Yatra has grown into a powerful public movement. With no political or social backing, drug peddlers are now fleeing the state. Even respected individuals in local communities are no longer supporting or bailing out such offenders.
MLA Kohli also mentioned that the Punjab Government is taking meaningful steps to rehabilitate drug-affected individuals by providing them with proper medical care and vocational training. He appealed to the public, especially the youth, to report any drug-related activity to the police or their local ward defense committee, and to motivate addicts to seek help.
Both leaders were joined by members of village and ward committees, panchayats, elected representatives, departmental officials, and a large number of residents, reflecting the growing public support for the anti-drug campaign in Patiala.
