Rupnagar, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains has directed officials to intensify action against drug traffickers as part of the state government’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign, while reviewing the district’s anti-drug measures at a district-level meeting in Rupnagar.
Chairing the meeting, Bains said the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was firmly committed to eliminating drugs from the state. He directed officials to accelerate police action against traffickers and strengthen surveillance, patrolling and checking in vulnerable areas.
He also called for special vigilance to prevent inter-state drug trafficking, particularly as Rupnagar shares a border with Himachal Pradesh.
According to the district police, 624 cases were registered and 908 accused arrested between January 1 and August 31, 2026. During this period, police seized 1 kg 245.494 grams of intoxicant powder, 14 kg 778 grams of opium, 2 kg 567.474 grams of heroin, 3.097 grams of charas, 505 grams of ganja, 191 grams of ice and 1,095 kg 786 grams of poppy husk.
Police also recovered 13,543 tablets/capsules, nine injections and drug money amounting to Rs 8.02 lakh.
During a special drive between June 1 and August 31, police registered 251 cases and arrested 358 accused. The seizures included 504.463 grams of intoxicant powder, 229 kg 105 grams of poppy husk and 1 kg 87.316 grams of heroin. Police also recovered 13,098 tablets/capsules and Rs 86,200 in drug money.
The meeting also reviewed action against illegal cultivation of narcotic substances. In March 2026, police registered a case under the NDPS Act after poppy plants were found growing at a house in Khaddar Colony Kotla Nihang. One person was arrested and 118 plants weighing 8.5 kg were seized.
Bains said the fight against drugs could not be limited to enforcement alone and stressed the importance of awareness, treatment and rehabilitation. He said 97 awareness seminars and meetings were organised by the district police in villages, wards, public places and educational institutions during June, July and August.
Rupnagar has two government and five private de-addiction centres with a combined capacity of 151 beds. Bains directed the Health Department to strengthen the quality of treatment and rehabilitation facilities at these centres.
He also emphasised sports as an effective means of keeping young people away from drugs, highlighting initiatives including increased sports funding, the new sports policy, development of village playgrounds, provision of gym equipment and the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ programme.
Bains called for closer coordination among the police, administration, Health Department, local bodies, village-level committees, educational institutions and the public. He directed officials to act promptly on information received from the village level and ensure there was no laxity in action against drug traffickers.
Deputy Commissioner Aditya Dachalwal said the district administration was working continuously with all concerned departments to strengthen the anti-drug campaign at the grassroots level.
District Police Chief Maninder Singh said Rupnagar Police remained committed to breaking the network of drug traffickers and had taken legal action alongside large-scale recoveries.
Among those present at the meeting were Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Chandrayoti Singh, SPs Palwinder Singh Cheema and Harsimrat Singh, Assistant Commissioner Sachin Pathak, ‘War Against Drugs’ Zone In-charge Anu Babbar, District Coordinator Harpreet Singh Kahlo, SDMs Jaspreet Singh, Pradeep Singh Bains, Sukhpal Singh and Chetan Bangar, DPRO Karan Mehta, DSPs NPS Lehal, Deepinder Singh, Manjit Singh Aulakh and Gurjit Singh, District Development and Panchayat Officer Baljinder Singh Grewal, various departmental officials, all BDPOs and representatives of the district team of Nasha Mukti Morcha.
FOLLOW NOW
