Police given a free hand to act against drug smugglers, irrespective of political affiliation; Village/Ward Defence Committees asked to intensify vigil
Tribune Times News
Kapurthala, August 31
Punjab Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Monday said that the Punjab Government had adopted a zero-tolerance and no-leniency policy against drug offenders under its flagship anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheya Virudh’, with strict action being taken against those indulged in drug trafficking.
Chairing a district-level review meeting on the campaign at Kapurthala, the Cabinet Minister said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had given a free hand to the Punjab Police to take action against drug offenders without any bias, making it clear that no one would be spared.
The Cabinet Minister said that ‘Yudh Nasheya Virudh’ was yielding meaningful results, with stringent action against drug smugglers and several major offenders already behind bars. He directed police officials to further intensify the campaign at the grassroots level and maintain close coordination with civil administration and local communities. He asked DSPs and SHOs to hold regular meetings with Village and Ward Defence Committees and ensure effective monitoring of drug-related activities in their respective areas. He said these committees were playing an important role not only in spreading awareness against drug abuse but also in identifying suspicious activities and supporting the administration and police in making villages and communities drug-free.
The Minister further directed the police to keep a close watch on drug peddlers released on bail. If any such person was found indulging in drug-related activities again, he said, necessary legal proceedings should be initiated for cancellation of bail as per law.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to completely eliminate the drug menace, Minister Bhagat said that ‘Yudh Nasheya Virudh’ was being implemented in mission mode with the active participation of the police, civil administration, village institutions and community volunteers. He said the government was also strengthening the drug de-addiction infrastructure and additional beds were being arranged in de-addiction centres to ensure that every person battling addiction could receive quality treatment and rehabilitation support. He called upon people from all sections of society to actively participate in ‘Yudh Nasheya Virudh’ and become partners in the government’s efforts to protect the younger generation from drugs. He said collective participation of families, communities and institutions was essential for building a healthier and drug-free Punjab.
Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal and SSP Gaurav Toora reiterated the district administration’s commitment to the zero-tolerance policy against drugs. They said Kapurthala district would continue to take firm action against drug peddlers while simultaneously strengthening awareness, prevention and rehabilitation efforts. They appealed to the people to come forward and share information about drug-related activities with the administration and police, assuring that every possible effort would be made to protect the identity of informants.
Arjuna Awardee and Sultanpur Lodhi Halqa Incharge Sajjan Singh Cheema, Kapurthala Halqa Incharge Advocate Karambir Singh Chandi, Nasha Mukti Morcha Doaba Incharge Atin Agnihotri, District Coordinator Seema Rana and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
