Bhagwant Mann: Punjab has battled drug addiction for decades, and families across the state have felt its cost. Since March 2025, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has responded with a campaign that, according to officials, has not paused for a single day.
What Is Yudh Nashian Virudh?
Yudh Nashian Virudh means “war against drugs.” The mission is to make Punjab drug-free. Police carry out raids every day across all 28 police districts, led by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force and local police. A five-member Cabinet sub-committee headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema monitors progress.
The Numbers So Far
Police figures show how far the drive has grown:
- Day 82: 12,650 total arrests, with more than 200 teams raiding 460 locations in one day.
- Day 453: over 60,000 arrests.
- Day 571: a total of 79,463 alleged smugglers arrested.
On Day 571 alone, police arrested 117 people and recovered 20.3 kg of heroin, 2 kg of opium, 15 kg of poppy husk and 737 intoxicant pills.
How Does the Crackdown Work?
The strategy has three parts. Teams act on intelligence to find suppliers and sellers, not just street-level users. Daily raids and checks across the state keep pressure on trafficking routes. Seizing drug money aims to weaken the financial base of these networks. Because the campaign is sustained, dealers have little time to regroup, and this is why officials describe it as one of the longest anti-narcotics operations in Indian policing.
Not Just Arrests: The Recovery Side
Punishment is only half the plan. During raids, police also counsel people struggling with addiction and encourage them to enter de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes. On Day 571, 21 people were persuaded to seek treatment. The idea is simple: arrest the traffickers, but help the addicted get better.
What This Drug War Means for Punjab’s Families
Bhagwant Mann: Drugs damage health, drain family savings and push young people away from education and jobs. A state-wide, daily campaign sends a clear message that trafficking will be pursued relentlessly. Long-term success will depend on whether arrests lead to convictions, supply chains stay broken, and rehabilitation reaches everyone who needs it. Still, the scale and consistency of the effort mark a major shift in how Punjab confronts its drug problem.
