Bathinda, Jan 13: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann called upon citizens and party cadres to transform the second phase of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ into a public crusade, asserting that the state is spearheading a national fight against narcotics. During a Lok Milni event in Bathinda, the Chief Minister noted that the government’s decisive actions have already secured a conviction rate of 88 percent against drug peddlers.
The Chief Minister noted that the campaign is entering a critical stage where community involvement outweighs administrative action alone. He stated that the previous administrations had patronized the trade, whereas the current government has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy to dismantle supply chains.
“The state government has launched the second phase of Yudh Nashean Virudh with the clear objective of completely eradicating the menace of drugs from Punjab,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said. “Big leaders of previous regimes were part and parcel of this sin, but the AAP government has registered cases against 28,000 drug peddlers in the last one year.”
Beyond enforcement, the Chief Minister tied the success of the drug-free mission to broader governance milestones in health and education. He mentioned that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are currently providing free treatment, with a new health scheme set to offer cashless coverage up to Rs 10 lakh soon. In the education sector, he cited the success of 118 Schools of Eminence, which have helped hundreds of government school students qualify for national competitive exams like NEET and JEE.
The Chief Minister also listed economic reliefs provided to the public, including the closure of 17 toll plazas and the provision of free electricity to 90 percent of households. He noted that the administration remains focused on a “comprehensive strategy” that includes treating victims and seizing the assets of traffickers.
“Only a mass movement, and not police or government action alone, can ensure success,” the Chief Minister said. “The supply lines have been broken, big players connected with the drug trade have been sent to jail, and bulldozers have been used on the properties of drug traffickers.”
