Chandigarh. May 16, 2025
Major Crackdown on Drug Smuggling
On the 76th day of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, launched under the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate the drug menace in Punjab, Punjab Police arrested 146 drug smugglers on May 16, 2025. The operation resulted in the recovery of 87 kg of heroin, 1 kg of opium, 407 kg of poppy husk, and ₹42,005 in drug money. This brings the total number of drug smugglers arrested to 11,430 in just 76 days since the campaign began.
Statewide Operation
The operation, directed by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, was conducted simultaneously across all 28 police districts in the state. Over 200 police teams, comprising more than 1,500 personnel and supervised by 92 gazetted officers, raided 543 locations, leading to the registration of 118 First Information Reports (FIRs). During the day-long operation, police also checked 619 suspicious individuals.
watch….‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’: Targeting Both Supply and Demand, Punjab Will Soon Be Drug-Free – Aman Arora
Government’s Commitment to a Drug-Free Punjab
CM Bhagwant Mann has instructed Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. To oversee the campaign, the Punjab Government has formed a 5-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor progress and ensure effective implementation.
De-Addiction Efforts Gain Momentum
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla highlighted the state’s three-pronged strategy of Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP) to combat drugs. As part of the de-addiction component, Punjab Police successfully convinced 122 individuals to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment on May 16, reflecting the campaign’s focus on rehabilitation alongside enforcement.
A Sustained War Against Drugs
The ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign underscores the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating drugs from the state. With significant arrests, seizures, and rehabilitation efforts, the initiative is making steady progress toward a drug-free Punjab, supported by robust enforcement and community engagement.
