NAWANSHAHR, May 16 — Intensifying its battle against drug abuse, the Punjab government will roll out a large-scale public awareness campaign on Friday, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal.
The drive begins with a ‘Nasha Mukti Yatra’ from Nawanshahr, aimed at mobilizing public support and participation in the state’s broader ‘War on Drugs’ initiative.
“This is not just a government mission—it’s a people’s movement,” said Mann, ahead of the launch. “We want every citizen to be part of this fight.”
The initiative is a key component of the AAP-led government’s Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan, which seeks to create grassroots resistance to drug use and trafficking.
As part of the campaign, gram sabhas will be conducted daily in 351 villages, where residents will be encouraged not only to reject drug use but also to remain alert and report any illegal activity to law enforcement.
The outreach plan involves visiting three villages or municipal wards in each of Punjab’s 117 Vidhan Sabha constituencies every day. The government aims to reach approximately 15,000 rural and urban communities across the state.
The campaign adds a civic engagement layer to ongoing enforcement efforts. Alongside awareness drives, authorities have been cracking down on smugglers with arrests, property demolitions, and aggressive policing.
According to officials, about 75 alleged drug traffickers have been injured in recent encounters with police.
“Our actions are tough, and now our message is clear—Punjab will not tolerate the drug trade,” Mann said.
The government’s dual-pronged strategy—combining community mobilization with law enforcement—reflects its renewed push to curb drug abuse, which has long plagued the state.
