CHANDIGARH, February 24, 2026 — Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday asserted that the state government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign has dismantled major smuggling networks, forcing traffickers to relocate their operations to Haryana. During a press conference, the Minister stated that the decisive enforcement under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has created a hostile environment for criminal elements in Punjab, who are now reportedly finding refuge in the neighboring state.
The Finance Minister noted that a pattern similar to the 2007–2017 SAD-BJP era in Punjab is now emerging in Haryana under the Nayab Singh Saini administration. He maintained that while Punjab has engaged over 1.5 lakh Village Defence Committee members to root out the menace, Haryana appears to be heading toward a crisis. Minister Cheema expressed concern over the treatment of honest officials, specifically mentioning Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu.
“Sunil Sandhu is widely known for his commendable work and has received several awards,” Minister Cheema declared. He further remarked that the BJP government in Haryana began targeting the officer immediately after a video of his successful narcotics seizure went viral, raising questions about who the neighboring administration is attempting to protect.
Minister Cheema also questioned the frequent visits of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to Punjab. He asked whether these visits indicate an attempt by the BJP to revive drug networks that were previously dismantled by the AAP government. He affirmed that the people of Punjab already rejected the SAD-BJP alliance because they witnessed the devastation caused by heroin and ‘chitta’ during their decade-long rule.
The Minister concluded by stating that the massive 3,000 kg heroin seizure in BJP-ruled Gujarat highlights a broader issue within states governed by the saffron party. He asserted that the Punjab government remains resolute in its mission and will not allow drug mafias to regroup or threaten the state’s progress.
