Chandigarh, March 20
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab leader and Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh highlighted the success of Punjab Government's anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' and shared details of police action till March 19 with the media.
On Thursday, Minister Tarunpreet Sondh addressed a press conference related to this campaign at the party office in Chandigarh. He said that the results of the 'War Against Drugs' campaign have been extremely encouraging, and it has shown positive outcomes across Punjab. People are also appreciating this initiative of the Punjab Government.
He stated that the Punjab Police is conducting this campaign very successfully. So far, 114 kg heroin, over 62 kg opium, and more than ₹68 lakh in cash have been seized. Under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1,895 FIRs have been registered, and 3,217 drug traffickers have been arrested.
In addition, approximately 7.5 lakh intoxicating tablets, 1,213 kg of poppy husk, 28 kg of cannabis, 4.5 kg of charas, 1.25 kg of ice, nearly 500 bottles of illicit liquor, 7 kg of intoxicating powder, and 301 injections have also been seized by the police. Furthermore, properties of 38 individuals involved in drug trafficking have been demolished.
Additionally, 22 motorcycles, 8 mobile phones, 4 cars, and 12 pistols linked to drug trafficking have been confiscated. During the action, over 4 kg of gold, including one necklace and two chains, as well as 1.25 kg of silver, were also recovered. Besides this, 5,689 traffic challans have been issued.
Minister Sondh said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the AAP Government is fully committed to eliminating drugs from Punjab. Punjab Police is continuously taking action against drug traffickers, and the results are in front of everyone. He stated that this time, no one involved in drugs will be spared. He warned drug traffickers to either stop drug trafficking or leave Punjab, otherwise be prepared to go to jail.
Sondh said that Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised the people of Punjab during the 2022 Assembly elections that after coming to power, they would completely eradicate drugs from Punjab. Today, the AAP Government is fulfilling that promise.
Sondh informed that alongside action against drug traffickers, the government is also taking several other effective steps. To raise awareness about drugs, over 1,000 meetings have been organized in schools and colleges. Similar programs have also been conducted in hundreds of villages.
He appealed to the public to support the government's campaign and urged them to provide information about those involved in drugs and to get people affected by drugs admitted to de-addiction centers as soon as possible. All arrangements have been made in these centers to help people quit drugs and return to a normal life. He added that after overcoming drug addiction, the government will also provide employment opportunities to the youth, and if anyone wishes to start self-employment, the Punjab Government will assist in that as well.
Minister Sondh appealed to all Panchayat members and Sarpanches of Punjab to come forward and contribute to the campaign. He urged them to take a pledge to make their respective villages drug-free and to put up a "Drug-Free Village" board once the goal is achieved. He also appealed to all social and religious organizations in Punjab to support the government in this initiative.