Chandigarh, March 2: Baltej Pannu, Chief Spokesperson of the Nasha Mukti Morcha, declared on Monday that the Bhagwant Mann administration has fundamentally altered the landscape of drug enforcement in Punjab. Addressing the media, Pannu stated that the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign has utilized a five-zone structure—Doaba, Majha, and three regions of Malwa—to ensure that every constituency is actively involved in dismantling narcotics networks.
Pannu affirmed that the recovery of ₹16.70 crore in drug money and over 51,000 arrests in a single year demonstrates a level of willpower not seen under previous regimes. He asserted that for 15 years, the drug mafia was permitted to take deep roots, specifically mentioning that the subsequent Congress government failed to hold masterminds accountable despite public promises.
“No state or country is fighting this battle as systematically as Punjab,” Pannu maintained. He stated that the government has moved away from the “jail-like” de-addiction facilities of the past, instead focusing on rehabilitation and vocational training. He noted that ITI instructors and private firms are now collaborating to provide job opportunities for those exiting treatment programs.
The spokesperson also highlighted the role of public participation, asserting that more than 2,000 complaints from Village Defence Committees have led directly to FIRs and arrests after verification. Pannu declared that the state is successfully moving away from the “Udta Punjab” narrative, affirming that the relentless pressure on smugglers will continue until the drug pipeline is completely severed.
