Chandigarh, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said his government had intensified its crackdown on gangsters, drug trafficking and organised crime, while accusing the opposition of using incidents of crime for what he termed “vulture politics”.
Addressing a press conference, Mann said 10 gangsters had been brought back to Punjab from abroad since January and claimed that nearly 80 per cent of drugs entering the state from Pakistan had been eliminated following the government’s sustained action against the narcotics network.
He said the government would now focus on drug supplies allegedly reaching Punjab through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Taking aim at the BJP, Mann said the party should “take care of its Mundra Port in Gujarat”, claiming that doing so would help substantially reduce the drug menace in Punjab.
“The consignments being pushed into Punjab may be in small packets, but the BJP, especially the Union Home Minister, should answer why tons of such consignments are available in BJP-ruled states,” Mann said.
He alleged that Punjab Police had recovered a major drug consignment from Mundra Port and said the Centre, rather than the state government alone, had primary responsibility for preventing smuggling across the international border. He added that Punjab had installed anti-drone systems using its own funds.
Mann said the state government had adopted a comprehensive strategy involving arrests, disruption of supply networks, seizure of narcotics, action against financial channels and pursuit of organised crime syndicates.
According to figures cited by him, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested 1.24 lakh gangsters and their sympathisers since 2022. Police have also recovered 1,170 weapons, 15 hand grenades, 858.26 kg of heroin, 480.26 kg of opium, 3,056.85 grams of gold and Rs 1.28 crore in cash. Mann said 18 gangsters had been deported from other countries by Punjab Police.
He also criticised the Congress and Akali Dal, alleging that gangsterism and drug networks had flourished under previous governments. “Those who were now giving sermons on law and order should first look into their own past,” he said.
Mann further alleged that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was being sheltered in a Gujarat jail and claimed that he was not being brought to Punjab.
The Chief Minister said opposition parties should stop politicising every incident and instead present their vision for Punjab. He said his government would remain focused on tackling drugs and organised crime, protecting the state’s youth and maintaining Punjab’s peace, security and reputation.
He also raised issues concerning river waters, the state’s capital, the syllabus of Panjab University, farm laws and BBMB, saying Punjab deserved a special package.
“Punjab is special and it deserves a special package by all means,” Mann said.
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