Punjab Police Intensifies ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ with 63 Arrests, 573 Grams Heroin Seized

Punjab Police Intensifies ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ with 63 Arrests, 573 Grams Heroin Seized

Chandigarh, March 21: Punjab Police’s ongoing war against drug trafficking, Yudh Nashian Virudh, continues its relentless pursuit to rid the state of the drug menace. On the 21st consecutive day of the operation, Punjab Police conducted raids at 493 locations, resulting in the arrest of 63 drug smugglers and the registration of 47 First Information Reports (FIRs). The latest operations have led to a significant increase in the number of arrests, bringing the total count of arrested smugglers to 2,527 in just 21 days.

A Day of Significant Drug Seizures

As part of the day-long operation, Punjab Police teams made substantial recoveries from the arrested smugglers. Authorities seized 573 grams of heroin, 10 kilograms of opium, and 1,470 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections, along with Rs 4,750 in drug money. The coordinated raids were conducted across all 28 police districts in Punjab, under the leadership of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, further intensifying efforts to curb drug trafficking in the state.

Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla disclosed that over 200 police teams—comprising more than 1,300 officers—participated in the operations, executing raids and checks on 530 suspicious individuals throughout the day. With such coordinated action, Punjab Police has sent a strong message to drug smugglers, showing no signs of slowing down in its commitment to combating drug abuse.

Government’s Strategy: Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention

Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, has given explicit directions to law enforcement agencies to make the state a drug-free zone. To achieve this, the state government has devised a comprehensive three-pronged strategy known as EDP—Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention. This strategy combines strict law enforcement with rehabilitation and public awareness programs to tackle both the supply and demand aspects of the drug crisis.

Minister Mann has also formed a five-member Cabinet Sub Committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to closely monitor and review the ongoing drug control measures in the state.

De-addiction and Prevention: Addressing the Root Cause

As part of the de-addiction effort, two individuals were successfully convinced to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment during the recent raids. Additionally, the Punjab Police has organized 125 awareness events across the state, focusing on educating the public about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention.

In a parallel move, police teams have also conducted thorough checks at 170 pharmaceutical shops in six districts, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Batala, Pathankot, Amritsar Rural, and Tarn Taran. These checks are designed to ensure that pharmaceutical stores are adhering to legal regulations and are not selling intoxicants or habit-forming drugs without proper prescriptions. This move is part of the broader effort to curb the illegal sale of drugs and prevent the misuse of pharmaceuticals.

The Growing Impact of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’

The success of this multi-dimensional approach is evident, as the police have continued to make significant strides in dismantling drug networks across the state. Over the past 21 days, Punjab Police has not only arrested over 2,500 drug smugglers, but it has also disrupted drug trafficking operations that have plagued the region for years.

The scale of the operation is unprecedented, with more than 96 gazetted officers overseeing the raids and ensuring that each operation is carried out with precision. The impact of these raids is already being felt across the state, with drug smugglers and traffickers increasingly finding it difficult to operate under the police’s watchful eye.

CM Mann’s Commitment to a Drug-Free Punjab

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has reiterated his commitment to eradicating drugs from Punjab, emphasizing that drug addiction is one of the most significant issues facing the state. The police raids and arrests are a part of a broader plan to restore normalcy and public health, particularly in the rural and border areas where drug trafficking has been rampant.

In his recent statements, CM Mann has encouraged communities to support the government’s efforts, saying that a drug-free Punjab is possible only with collective action from law enforcement, the public, and policymakers.

What’s Next for the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Campaign?

The ongoing success of the campaign has led many to believe that Punjab could make considerable progress in its fight against drugs in the coming months. With the implementation of the EDP strategy and the active involvement of local communities, the state government is optimistic about breaking the chains of addiction and curbing drug smuggling activities.

The Punjab Police is committed to continuing these operations with full force, and the state’s leadership has made it clear that they will spare no effort in ensuring that the fight against drugs is not only sustained but escalated in the coming months.