Batala, May 14
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday asserted that the Punjab Government would erase the “blot of drugs” from the state at any cost, saying the ongoing Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign has already delivered a major blow to the narcotics network with over 63,707 drug smugglers arrested in 437 days and illegal properties built through drug money being demolished across Punjab.
Addressing an anti-drug awareness programme dedicated to the 38th Gurugaddi Divas of Sant Trilochan Das Ji Maharaj in Batala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the fight against drugs and organised crime had now become a people’s movement, with every Punjabi standing shoulder to shoulder with the Punjab Government.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the simultaneous crackdown under the 112-day Gangstran Te Vaar campaign, ongoing welfare measures for women and healthcare, and credited the strict anti-beadbi law enacted by the Punjab Government for bringing an end to incidents of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said, “The Punjab Government launched Yudh Nashean Virudh more than 400 days ago and this campaign has achieved resounding success. We have cracked the backbone of the drug trade and the big fishes involved in this crime have been put behind bars. This crackdown against drugs will continue with full force until this menace is completely wiped out from Punjab.”
Mann stated that under the campaign, the Punjab Government had not only snapped the supply lines of drugs but had also ensured rehabilitation of victims while demolishing and confiscating properties of smugglers. “If Punjabis make a firm resolve to make Punjab drug-free, then no force can stop us from achieving this noble mission. I seek the wholehearted support and cooperation of people to turn this fight into a people’s movement,” Mann said.
Highlighting Punjab’s spiritual legacy, Mann said, “Every inch of this sacred land carries the footprints of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs who taught us to stand against tyranny, injustice and oppression. Inspired by their teachings, the Punjab Government launched this crusade against drugs and the results are now visible on the ground. The day is not far when Punjab will become completely drug-free.”
The Chief Minister stated Punjab has always been recognised as the food bowl and sword arm of the nation, with its people known worldwide for courage, resilience and enterprise. “Previous governments neglected Punjab’s development, which disillusioned the youth and forced many to leave the state. Today, the Punjab Government is making every effort to restore the pristine glory of a Rangla Punjab,” Mann added.
Emphasising welfare-oriented governance, Mann said, “The tax money of people belongs to the people and we are spending it judiciously on their welfare. Today, people’s money is being invested in schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure instead of corruption and loot.” He said that the Punjab Government had provided free electricity to 90% of households and given more than 65,000 government jobs without corruption. “We have improved roads, shut toll plazas saving people around ₹70 lakh daily and strengthened infrastructure across Punjab. For the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers received more than eight hours of uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season and daytime electricity for irrigation, which has transformed their lives,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
