Bhagwant Mann: Continuing its statewide anti-drug campaign, the Punjab Police arrested 80 drug smugglers during raids conducted across several districts of the state.

Bhagwant Mann: Punjab Police Arrest 80 Drug Smugglers in Anti-Drug Crackdown

The action was carried out under the ongoing anti-drug drive “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” with operations led by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force Punjab. During the crackdown, police recovered around 9 kg of heroin, 700 grams of opium, 5 kg of poppy husk, and 2,457 intoxicant tablets and capsules.

Officials also seized ₹10,400 believed to be drug money during the raids. The operations were conducted at multiple locations across Punjab as part of the sustained campaign against drug trafficking.

Apart from arrests, authorities also focused on rehabilitation efforts. Police persuaded 33 individuals to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment, highlighting the government’s approach of combining enforcement with recovery support.

According to official figures shared by the police, the campaign has now reached Day 379. During this period, a total of 53,712 drug smugglers have been arrested across the state under the anti-drug drive.

Police officials said the campaign involves coordinated operations

Police officials said the campaign involves coordinated operations by district police units, special task forces and intelligence teams to track drug supply networks operating in the region. Regular raids, checkpoints and surveillance are being conducted to curb the movement of narcotics across the state.

Authorities also stated that public awareness and community participation are being encouraged to strengthen the fight against drugs. Citizens are being urged to share information about drug trafficking activities and support rehabilitation initiatives for those struggling with addiction.

The campaign is part of the state government’s broader efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to tackle drug trafficking and addiction while promoting stricter enforcement and improved rehabilitation systems across the state.

Highlighting the achievements of the state government over the past four years, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said significant steps have been taken to boost the use of canal water for agriculture across the state.

Punjab Expands Canal Water Use to Over 70% in Four Years: CM Bhagwant Mann

According to the government, when the administration took office, the utilisation of canal water in Punjab stood at around 21 percent. Through sustained efforts over the last four years, the usage has now increased to more than 70 percent, marking a major shift in irrigation practices.

Officials said large-scale cleaning

The state government also invested around ₹5,700 crore to strengthen irrigation infrastructure. As a result, canal water access has now been ensured to nearly 78 percent of agricultural land in the state.

Officials said large-scale cleaning and restoration work was undertaken to improve water flow in the canal network. A total of 15,539 canals were cleaned and 18,349 canal channels were made operational to ensure that water reaches tail-end areas as well.

The Chief Minister said the initiative has helped farmers receive a more reliable and affordable source of irrigation water. Increased canal water usage is expected to reduce farmers’ dependence on tube wells and help conserve rapidly depleting groundwater levels in the state.

The government also stated that strengthening the canal irrigation system will improve agricultural productivity and ensure equitable distribution of water across regions. Special focus has been placed on ensuring that tail-end villages, which earlier faced water shortages, now receive adequate canal water supply.

According to the state administration, the reforms in irrigation infrastructure are part of broader efforts to modernise agriculture in Punjab while making farming more sustainable and cost-effective for farmers. Officials said continued investments and maintenance of canals will remain a priority in the coming years to further expand irrigation coverage across the state.

The Aam Aadmi Party Punjab and Bhagwant Mann unit has highlighted the state government’s achievements in employment generation, stating that nearly 65,000 government jobs have been provided purely on the basis of merit.

In a post on social media platform X, the party said that under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has ensured transparent recruitment without corruption, favoritism, or recommendations.

Punjab Government Provided Nearly 65,000 Jobs on Merit: Bhagwant Mann

The post was shared with the campaign hashtag #Shandar4SaalMaanDeNaal, referring to the completion of four years of the government led by Bhagwant Mann. According to the party, the recruitment process has been conducted strictly on merit, ensuring equal opportunities for youth across the state.

The party also claimed that the government has taken several steps to streamline recruitment procedures and speed up the appointment process in various departments. These efforts, it said, have helped thousands of young people secure stable government jobs and strengthened confidence among job aspirants.

According to the party, providing employment to the youth has been one of the major commitments of the government since it came to power in Punjab. The administration has focused on filling vacant posts in departments such as education, health, police, and administrative services.

The government has also emphasized that transparent recruitment not only benefits job seekers but also improves the efficiency of public institutions. Officials believe that hiring candidates strictly on merit helps ensure capable and qualified individuals join government services.

The Aam Aadmi Party further said that the initiative reflects the government’s broader vision of empowering youth, strengthening governance, and accelerating development across Punjab and its people.