Chandigarh, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday accused the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the Congress of pushing Punjab towards destruction by allowing drugs and gangsterism to flourish during their respective tenures. He asserted that while the Bhagwant Mann government was waging a decisive battle against drugs and organised crime, the BJP was engaging in politics over drug-related deaths instead of addressing the problem in states governed by the party.
Addressing a press conference, Cheema said, “Between 2007 and 2017, the Akali Dal-BJP government brought a flood of chitta, other drugs and gangsterism to Punjab. These two parties, along with the Congress, left no stone unturned in damaging the state. The Congress came to power in 2017 promising to act against the drug menace, but continued the same practices during its five-year tenure from 2017 to 2022.”
He emphasised that the AAP government had consistently taken action against drugs and gangsters since assuming office.
“Since forming the government, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has consistently acted against drugs and gangsters. The Bhagwant Mann government constituted the Anti-Gangster Task Force soon after taking office, conducted extensive raids, arrested criminals involved in multiple offences and recovered illegal weapons. The force has also worked to bring back criminals who fled abroad to evade the law. According to the figures, 2,105 proclaimed offenders (POs) have been apprehended, while 81,499 individuals have been arrested in action against gangsters and crime,” Cheema said.
Highlighting the government’s anti-drug campaign, the Cabinet Minister said, “The Bhagwant Mann government launched Yudh Nashean Virudh and strengthened enforcement by incorporating anti-drone systems at the border. From March 31, 2025, onwards, the state has registered 68,545 drug-related cases and arrested nearly 90,000 accused.”
Cheema added that enforcement agencies had seized approximately 450 kilograms of heroin, drug money worth more than ₹23 crore, over 67 lakh intoxicant capsules, around 4,200 injections and 84 kilograms of intoxicating powder allegedly used by young people.
He said these seizures demonstrated the scale of the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle drug networks and prevent narcotics from reaching Punjab’s youth.
Challenging the BJP to explain the drug situation in states governed by the party, Cheema referred to a newspaper report published on October 25.
“The report showed that drug use in Punjab had declined by 5.5%, while it had increased by 28% in Delhi, 18% in Uttar Pradesh, 42% in Haryana and 51% in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
He clarified that the figures cited in the report were not compiled by the AAP government but were based on Government of India data.
Cheema also referred to reported remarks by Bihar Director General of Police Kundan Krishnan, who said other states should learn from Punjab’s efforts to eliminate drugs.
Targeting the BJP over its record in Gujarat, the Cabinet Minister said, “The BJP has governed Gujarat for more than 30 years, yet the state has become a major source through which drugs are spreading across the country. How can the BJP claim credibility in tackling the drug menace while continuing to politicise the issue in Punjab?”
Reiterating the state government’s position, Cheema said Punjab was fighting a determined battle to curb drug trafficking and protect its younger generation.
“The AAP government remains committed to eliminating drugs from the state and will continue taking strict action against drug traffickers, gangsters and those involved in organised crime,” he said.
FOLLOW NOW
