Malerkotla, October 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Malerkotla Police on Saturday conducted a coordinated cordon-and-search operation (CASO) at all seven identified drug-consumption hotspots in the district as part of the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. A total of 15 suspected individuals were rounded up for verification during the operation.
The operation began at 6 am under the overall supervision of Malerkotla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh. It involved the SP (D), SP (Headquarters) and DSP-rank officers from various subdivisions of the district.
A DSP-rank officer was assigned to supervise each identified hotspot, while the respective station house officers and police teams carried out searches and verification.
Of the 15 individuals rounded up, 10 were from the Malerkotla subdivision, three from the Ahmedgarh subdivision and two from other areas of the district.
Reiterating the police department’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, SSP Khakh said all identified drug-consumption hotspots would be prioritised for making them drug-free. He emphasised that the initiative extended beyond police action, with a focus on restoring these locations as clean, safe and accessible public spaces.
Khakh said Malerkotla Police would work with the civil administration, local residents and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to remove garbage and unnecessary material, improve street lighting and upgrade the surrounding environment. He said coordinated efforts would be undertaken to improve these areas at the earliest.
Highlighting the importance of de-addiction and rehabilitation, the SSP said young people affected by drug addiction would be encouraged to seek treatment and appropriate support to help them reintegrate into society.
He also stressed the need for continuous monitoring and public participation to prevent drug consumption from resuming at the identified hotspots.
As part of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, police will also organise seminars and awareness camps in schools and colleges. These programmes will aim to educate students about the harmful effects of drugs, encourage healthy lifestyles and motivate them to stay away from substance abuse.
Separately, on October 9, Malerkotla Police registered four cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 11 accused in connection with drug-related offences. During the same reporting period, eight listed drug smugglers were also arrested, according to the police statement.
The initiative combines enforcement action with support from the civil administration, public participation, improvements to public spaces, youth awareness and rehabilitation efforts to address drug-related problems at identified hotspots across the district.
FOLLOW NOW
