Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that while his government is taking decisive action against gangsters and the drug menace, the opposition is resorting to “vulture politics” by using every unfortunate incident to stay in the media spotlight instead of presenting a vision for Punjab. He said that 10 gangsters have been brought back to Punjab from abroad since January and nearly 80% of the drugs coming from Pakistan have been eliminated following the government’s crackdown.
The Chief Minister affirmed the government will now tighten the noose on the supply coming from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while taking direct aim at the BJP over the drug route and saying that if the BJP takes care of Mundra Port in Gujarat, the drug menace in Punjab will be almost eliminated. He also said that the Congress and Akali Dal, who “nurtured gangsters”, have no right to speak on law and order, and called upon all three opposition parties to stop their “dirty politics” and present their vision for Punjab before the people.
Calling out opposition’s vulture politics during a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “When you have no issue, you start feeding on every unfortunate incident. This is not politics of public service, this is vulture politics. Punjab deserves better than this cheap politics.”
The Chief Minister said, “Instead of appreciating the Punjab Government’s sustained battle against drugs, gangsters and organised crime, the opposition is deliberately trying to create fear and defame Punjab for narrow political gains. Punjab is not merely a border state but the gateway to the country and a gem of India. Any attempt to portray the entire state through the prism of isolated incidents is a deliberate attempt to malign Punjab and its people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government had adopted a comprehensive roadmap to dismantle the nexus of drugs, gangsters and organised crime. “Our fight is not limited to making arrests. We are identifying networks, intercepting consignments, choking financial channels and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Punjab Police is working day and night and we have not allowed criminals to dictate the agenda of the state. Those involved in drugs and gang-related activities are being pursued relentlessly, irrespective of their political connections or influence,” said the Chief Minister.
Taking on the BJP over the issue of drug smuggling, he said, “Desperate attempts are being made to smuggle drugs into Punjab from across the 532-kilometre border. The consignments being pushed into Punjab may be in small packets, but the BJP, especially the Union Home Minister, should answer why tons of such consignments are available in BJP-ruled states.”
The Chief Minister said, “Punjab Police has recovered a huge consignment of such drugs from Mundra Port, which is in the native state of the Union Home Minister. The Union Home Minister is not able to check drugs in his own state and is planning to undertake an anti-drug yatra in Punjab.”
He affirmed, “Preventing smuggling across the international border is primarily the responsibility of the Centre, yet the Punjab Government has installed anti-drone systems with its own funds to curb drugs. In Gujarat, lakhs of tonnes of drugs are being seized but no action is taken, while Punjab has launched the country’s biggest campaign against drugs.”
“The entire nation knows that around 3,000 kg of drugs were seized at Mundra Port in Gujarat, but no meaningful action has been taken against those responsible,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added.
The Chief Minister said the Punjab Government had made significant recoveries of narcotic substances and taken sustained action against thousands of persons involved in the drug trade. “We have adopted a comprehensive roadmap against drugs, gangsters and organised crime. This is not simply about arresting individuals. We are dismantling the networks, cutting their supply chains, attacking their financial channels and pursuing those operating these criminal syndicates,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These nefarious designs of the BJP are solely aimed at defaming Punjab and Punjabis, which cannot be tolerated at any cost. The government has acted firmly against gangsters, with a large number of arrests and deportation proceedings against individuals linked to organised crime and criminal networks. Why, during their own tenures, were gangster culture and drug networks allowed to flourish instead of lecturing the present government?” he asked the opposition.
The Chief Minister said that those who were now giving sermons on law and order should first look into their own past. “The people of Punjab have not forgotten the black days when gangsters enjoyed political patronage and criminals were allowed to operate with impunity,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Akali Dal, the Congress and other opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who had patronised criminal elements in the past had no moral authority to question the government’s crackdown today. “Do not stoop so low by politicising every tragedy as Punjab has suffered enough because of such politics,” he said.
The Chief Minister unequivocally said that people wanted solutions, not manufactured controversies. “People want solutions, not manufactured controversies. The state government will continue to pursue its roadmap against drugs and organised crime with an uncompromising approach. Punjab has emerged as a leader in the fight against narcotics, with Punjab Police making substantial recoveries and dismantling supply networks,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He said that the government would not allow Punjab to become a scapegoat for a problem whose networks extended far beyond the state.
Cautioning political parties against misleading people through yatras, statements and selective narratives, the Chief Minister said that they could not mislead Punjabis forever. “You cannot mislead Punjabis forever. The wise people of the state government know who fought against drugs and gangsters and who gave criminals political shelter. Likewise, the people know it well who is working for the well-being of the state and who is merely looking for a camera,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab had historically contributed immensely to the nation and had always stood at the forefront whenever the country needed courage, sacrifice and service. “Punjab is a land of warriors, farmers, sportspersons, entrepreneurs and hardworking people. No one will be allowed to defame Punjab for political mileage,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government is committed to making Punjab safer, drug-free and prosperous and would continue to take tough action against anyone threatening the peace and security of the state.
The Chief Minister said that instead of indulging in “politics of opportunism”, the opposition should join hands with the government in the larger interest of Punjab. “Political differences are natural in a democracy, but when the question is Punjab’s reputation, its youth and its future, all of us must rise above petty politics. The opposition should stop misleading people and start contributing constructively,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that his government would neither be intimidated by political criticism nor distracted from its mission. “The road map of the state is clear to crush the drug networks, dismantle gangster syndicates, protect our youth and restore Punjab’s pride. Those who are searching for political oxygen in every incident should understand that Punjab will not be allowed to become a victim of their politics,” said the Chief Minister.
He said that the issues of river waters, capital, syllabus of Panjab University, farm laws, BBMB and other injustices were not tolerable. “Punjab is special and it deserves a special package by all means,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that his state government had launched a major crackdown against the gangsters in Punjab. “Since 2022 AGTF (Anti Gangster Task Force) has arrested 1.24 lakh gangsters and their sympathisers. We have recovered 1170 weapons, 15 hand grenades, 858.26 kg heroine, 480.26 kg opium, 3056.85 gram Gold along with Rs 1.28 crore cash. Eighteen gangsters have been deported from the other countries by the Punjab Police,” he said.
The Chief Minister said, “The Union Government has failed to address the problem of gangsters at a national level. Punjab gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has been given shelter by BJP Govt in Gujarat jail, and he isn’t even being allowed to be brought to Punjab.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out, “Gangsterism is a national issue posing a serious threat to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country, and the Union Government has failed to curb it. The Punjab Government would continue its uncompromising action against drugs, gangsters and organised crime and would remain focused on protecting the state’s youth, peace, security and reputation.”
