Campaign Has Broken Backbone of Drug Menace by Snapping Supply Lines & Putting Big Fish Behind Bars: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
More Than 13,000 Complaints Received From Village Defence Committees Against Drug Smugglers in Just 3 Months: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Monthly Meetings of VDCs Must Be Held in Every District: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Govt Has Increased Beds in De-addiction & Rehabilitation Centres From 1,500 to 5,000: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Recovered Individuals Will Serve as ‘Soormas’ & Inspire Others as Ambassadors of Recovery: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Punjab Police Will Uphold Its Glorious Tradition & Make State Completely Drug-Free With Public Support: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
BATHINDA, 29th June 2026:
Expressing satisfaction over the success of the Punjab’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to further intensify the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign until Punjab is completely freed from the scourge of drugs.
Chairing a virtual review meeting to assess the functioning of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), the Chief Minister asserted that the campaign has broken the backbone of the drug menace by snapping supply lines and putting major drug smugglers behind bars. Stressing that there can be no let-up in the drive, he called for stronger grassroots action, greater public participation and confidence-building measures in villages to sustain the momentum and secure a decisive victory against drugs.
Sharing a few snippets from this meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, from the Lake View Guest House in Bathinda, I chaired an important review meeting through video conference with all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) as part of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign. Strict directions have been issued to all officers to intensify ground-level action for the complete eradication of drugs. Action against drug traffickers is continuing relentlessly under our Zero Tolerance policy. Saving Punjab’s youth is our highest priority. Let us all unite to make Punjab drug-free and take the state to new heights of progress.”
During this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The supply line of drugs has already been snapped and the big fish involved in this heinous crime have been put behind bars. However, the momentum of this campaign has to be maintained and the need of the hour is to intensify it further until Punjab is completely free from drugs.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the members of the Village Defence Committees have been performing their responsibilities effectively and have lodged more than 13,000 complaints against drug smugglers during the last three months alone. “In districts where the Village Defence Committees are comparatively less active, they should be encouraged to actively participate in this mission of public importance. Meetings of Village Defence Committees must be organised every month in every district and I will personally review their performance in monthly state-level meetings,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that drug abuse is a global phenomenon, but nowhere in the world has such a determined and vigorous campaign been launched against it. “In an unprecedented initiative, a 1.50 lakh-strong force of Village Defence Committee members has been constituted to make Punjab drug-free. Public participation is essential because the fight against drugs has to become a mass movement. Drug addiction is a social problem and people’s involvement is equally important for ensuring the sustainability of this campaign,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asked the DCs and SSPs to secure wholehearted support and cooperation from every section of society to ensure that no drugs are sold in their respective areas and every drug victim is brought out of addiction. “As a confidence-building measure, police teams should regularly visit villages and interact with residents to understand the ground situation. The identity of Village Defence Committee members or any citizen providing information about drug smugglers must remain strictly confidential,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has concentrated on dismantling the supply chain of drugs by arresting drug peddlers and sending them behind bars. “As the noose has tightened around drug smugglers, the supply line has been disrupted, resulting in a larger number of victims approaching de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. Therefore, the government has established an extensive network of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres to detoxify addicts and enable them to lead lives of dignity and self-respect,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that under the ongoing Yudh Nahean Virudh, the capacity of existing de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been substantially enhanced. “Several new centres have been established and the quality of services and overall environment at existing centres has been significantly improved, including the provision of air conditioning. The number of beds in government-managed de-addiction and rehabilitation centres has been increased from 1,500 to 5,000,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres have also been upgraded and uninterrupted availability of essential medicines has been ensured. “New OOAT centres have been established wherever required, increasing their total number from 529 to 565. Officers must personally ensure adequate availability of medicines, consumables and beds at all OOAT and de-addiction centres under their jurisdiction,” he said.
Highlighting the Soorma initiative, CM bBhagwant Singh Mann said that the unique programme recognises individuals who have successfully overcome drug addiction and remained sober for more than two years. “These Soormas will now work alongside the government as Ambassadors of Recovery to inspire others to overcome addiction and help make Punjab completely drug-free,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that this initiative reflects the unwavering commitment of the state government to eradicate drug abuse, which has plagued Punjab for several years. “These individuals represent the true spirit of Yudh Nahean Virudh. Their hard work, resilience and determination show the path towards a Rangla Punjab. They are our ambassadors of hope, and the government will continue investing in de-addiction centres, skill development and efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with addiction so that every recovering individual can rebuild a life of dignity and secure better livelihood opportunities,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a historic moment as the state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and launched a decisive crusade against the menace. “Punjab Police has a glorious history of successfully tackling challenging law and order situations. I am confident that the force will uphold this proud tradition and make Punjab completely drug-free with the active support and cooperation of the people. This is the need of the hour to protect future generations from the scourge of drugs,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the war against drugs can only be won through meticulous planning and effective execution at the micro level, for which every officer has to play a proactive role. “The state government is making concerted efforts to channelise the boundless energy of Punjab’s youth in a positive direction. This is an extraordinary battle and it requires innovative thinking and out-of-the-box initiatives from the government as well as every officer associated with this mission,” he added.
