Under CM Bhagwant Mann’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab Police arrest over 23,000 drug traffickers and register 14,906 FIRs since March 2025.
Chandigarh, July 24, 2025:
In what officials are calling a historic milestone, the Punjab Police have seized over 1,002 kilograms of heroin in less than five months as part of the state’s aggressive anti-drug initiative, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, launched on March 1, 2025, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership.
According to official data, 23,647 drug smugglers have been arrested and 14,906 FIRs registered during this period, reflecting an unprecedented escalation in drug law enforcement.
The magnitude of this crackdown is stark when compared to past efforts. For instance, a 2022 joint operation with Maharashtra Police netted only 72.5 kg of heroin, highlighting the scale and intensity of the current operation.
Despite previous campaigns—such as the 2017 drive led by then CM Amarinder Singh—experts argue that Punjab’s drug crisis has persisted due to systemic issues. Reports from The Tribune and UNODC suggest factors like porous international borders, regional trafficking networks, and a lack of rehabilitation infrastructure have hindered sustainable progress.
A 2019 Lancet study noted a 20% rise in opioid-related deaths in India over a decade, with Punjab among the most affected. The state’s proximity to Pakistan, a key heroin smuggling route, continues to be a strategic vulnerability.
Officials maintain that this renewed campaign combines strong legal action with community outreach, aiming for both deterrence and long-term recovery. However, critics warn that seizures and arrests alone are insufficient without structural reforms in health, border management, and rural employment.