Chandigarh, March 1: In a decisive move against the drug menace, Punjab Police launched a massive statewide operation, conducting raids at over 750 locations. The action follows the first meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on drug eradication, officials said on Saturday.
Approximately 12,000 police personnel participated in the crackdown as part of Punjab's intensified campaign against drug peddling and smuggling. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier set a three-month deadline to make the state drug-free. As part of the drive, authorities have not only arrested drug peddlers but, in some instances, also demolished their properties.
Massive Raids Lead to 290 Arrests
A state-level Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was conducted across 369 identified drug hotspots, resulting in the arrest of 290 drug smugglers and the registration of 232 FIRs.According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the four-hour-long operation led to the seizure of:
- 8.14 kg heroin
- 1.21 kg opium
- 3.5 kg ganja
- 19 kg poppy husk
- 700 grams charas
- 16,238 intoxicant tablets and injections
- ₹8.02 lakh cash
Unified Political and Social Support Sought
Cabinet Minister Aman Arora urged all political parties to support the government’s anti-drug efforts rather than indulging in political bickering. He also called upon religious and social organizations, as well as NGOs, to unite in making Punjab drug-free.Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on drugs, stated that the "Yudh Nashia Virudh" (War Against Drugs) campaign will ensure strict action against drug networks. "This is a major strike against drugs as per the directions of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Soon, not even a single drug peddler will be found in Punjab," he asserted.
District-Level Monitoring for Effective Action
To ensure the effectiveness of the campaign, members of the cabinet sub-committee have been assigned different districts:- Harpal Singh Cheema: Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Tarn Taran
- Aman Arora: Ludhiana, Patiala, Kapurthala, Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar
- Taranpreet Singh Sond: Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Moga, Malerkotla
- Laljit Singh Bhullar: Faridkot, Muktsar, Fazilka, Mansa, Ferozepur
Government Promises Decisive Action
Arora, addressing the media, blamed previous governments for allowing drug cartels to thrive and emphasized that addicts will be treated as patients, not criminals. "This is not just a government issue but a matter of saving Punjab’s youth and future generations," he added.With the Punjab government aggressively targeting drug networks, this campaign is set to intensify in the coming months, aiming to dismantle the supply chain and rehabilitate those affected.
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