CHANDIGARH, March 1— Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has set a three-month deadline to rid the state of drugs, declaring a “zero-tolerance policy” and calling the initiative a “historic moment” in the fight against narcotics.
Announcing the campaign Yudh Nashia Virudh, Mann said special courts will be set up to ensure speedy trials and convictions in drug-related cases. “This is not just a government effort but a battle that must become a mass movement,” he said, urging officials to plan extensive action against drug traffickers.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who heads the cabinet sub-committee overseeing the initiative, said ministers have been assigned different districts to monitor police efforts. “The Aam Aadmi Party has launched a major crackdown. CM Mann has issued strict instructions, and as per Arvind Kejriwal’s directions, we will ensure not a single drug peddler remains in Punjab,” he said.
The chief minister also directed police commissioners and SSPs to ensure that drugs are completely wiped out within three months. He warned that officer performance would be evaluated after one month, with strict accountability for non-performers. “Punjab defeated militancy in the past, and now officers will play a key role in eradicating this menace,” he added.
Mann also called for action against police officials involved in drug consumption or promotion. “The properties of convicted drug smugglers must be seized immediately, especially in cases involving commercial quantities,” he said, adding that illegal properties linked to drug trade should be demolished.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh Arora stated that drug addicts would be treated as patients, not criminals. “The health department will ensure proper medical care and rehabilitation,” he said. Criticizing previous governments, he said, “The rivers of drugs that they allowed to flow cannot be stopped without the collective support of Punjab’s three crore people.”
The campaign will involve strict law enforcement, de-addiction programs, and community engagement to ensure long-term impact.
