CM Bhagwant Mann: Punjab Police arrested 57 persons suspected of being drug smugglers after raids at 286 places across the state, registering 42 FIRs throughout the day. That brought the number of arrested drug smugglers to 26,023 in 169 days of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh‘ campaign. Also recovered were 461 grams of heroin, 415 intoxicating tablets and capsules and ₹31,550 in drug money in the raids. These are not random numbers; they are the relentless, daily beat of enforcement that has gone on without pause.
The Double-Edged Solution That Makes This Campaign Unique: Arresting Addicts
What distinguishes Bhagwant Mann’s approach from earlier crackdowns is the equal emphasis on rehabilitation. The campaign also motivates and guides people to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment, exemplifying the administration’s dual approach of strict law enforcement and social intervention as well as enforcement. Authorities have also stressed that the war on drugs is not just about arrests but counselling, awareness and support systems for those who want to quit substance abuse.
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Record conviction rate – 88% under NDPS Act, highest in India. Arrests are good, but convictions are better, and the Punjab government is delivering on that front as well.
Less than 18 months – 61,000 drug smugglers held: Drug-free Punjab a reality?
CM Bhagwant Mann: The latest arrests bring the number of drug smugglers caught in the campaign to 61,103 over 422 days, underscoring the scale and persistence of the crackdown. The government is working on long-term solutions like rehabilitation infrastructure and youth engagement programmes, and experts say these persistent efforts are crucial to bring about lasting change. For a state long wounded by the drug crisis, Bhagwant Mann’s campaign is starting to feel less like a drive and more like a genuine turning point.
