MOGA, Feb 16 — At a major gathering in Killi Chahal on February 16, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal signaled a shift in the state’s battle against narcotics, moving from administrative action to a full-scale mass movement. The leaders asserted that the collective resolve of the people, facilitated by newly formed Village Defence Committees, is the key to permanently uprooting drug trafficking.
Arvind Kejriwal noted that the Akali Dal, BJP, and Congress had previously allowed Punjab to sink into a drug crisis, whereas the current government is freezing the bank accounts and seizing the properties of those responsible. He stated that the government has established VDCs comprising respected local figures like retired teachers and army officers to identify both peddlers and those in need of rehabilitation. He affirmed that all information submitted through the dedicated app reaches the Chief Minister’s Office directly to ensure swift action.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann used the occasion to highlight broader welfare initiatives, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. He stated that Punjab has become the first state to offer cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh for all residents. He maintained that while “anti-Punjab forces” are spreading misinformation about the scheme, the government remains focused on reducing the financial burden on families and providing comprehensive healthcare.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the state is winning the war against drugs by creating a “Rangla Punjab” where water reaches the tail ends of fields and 90% of households receive free electricity. He declared that the success of the VDCs, which helped in the recent seizure of 43 kg of heroin, proves that the public is ready to reclaim the state’s future. The leaders concluded by urging residents to politically boycott any parties that previously patronized criminal elements.
