Jalandhar, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Horticulture, Freedom Fighters and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Tuesday said that no person involved in drug-related activities would be spared, as the state government continued its campaign to eliminate drugs from Punjab.
Chairing a review meeting under the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign at the District Administrative Complex here, Bhagat said the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and was taking stringent action against those involved in the illegal trade.
He said that between March 1, 2025, and August 30, 2026, as many as 58,797 cases had been registered and 76,701 accused arrested under the campaign. In addition to recovering large quantities of narcotic substances, authorities had seized drug money amounting to Rs 21.99 crore, he said.
Bhagat directed police officials to intensify their focus on areas identified as vulnerable to drug-related activities. He stressed the need for closer coordination among the police, civil administration and local residents to tackle the problem at the grassroots level.
He also directed DSPs to ensure regular meetings between SHOs and village and ward defence committees and maintain continuous surveillance of drug-related activities in their respective areas. Police officials were asked to keep a close watch on drug traffickers released on bail or parole and initiate legal action if they were found re-engaging in drug trafficking.
The Minister said the government was combining strict enforcement against traffickers with rehabilitation efforts for people affected by drug addiction. He appealed to all sections of society, including social organisations and citizens, to actively participate in the campaign and contribute towards building a drug-free Punjab.
Bhagat also sought feedback from district and constituency-level coordinators of the Nasha Mukti Morcha.
MLA Balkar Singh said people from all sections of society were extending cooperation to the government’s anti-drug campaign and stressed that combating drugs was a collective responsibility.
Jalandhar Rural SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said the rural police had registered 2,815 cases and arrested 3,980 accused since March 1, 2025. He said more than 6,500 drug-affected people had also been referred to de-addiction centres as part of rehabilitation efforts. The police were conducting regular meetings with village and ward defence committees as well as awareness seminars and workshops, he added.
Doaba in-charge of the Nasha Mukti Morcha Atin Agnihotri briefed the meeting about activities at the district and constituency levels and assured full cooperation to the government and administration in the fight against drugs.
The meeting was attended by DSPs, Nasha Mukti Morcha district in-charge (rural) Ajay Bhil, constituency coordinators, block coordinators and other officials.
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