CHANDIGARH, April 30 — In a decisive crackdown on Punjab’s drug menace, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday directed all district police heads to eliminate the availability of drugs from the streets by May 31, warning that failure to do so would lead to personal accountability and disciplinary action.
Chairing a high-level meeting with top police leadership — including Inspector Generals (IGs), Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) — Yadav issued a clear message: performance will be measured, and consequences will follow.
“We have fixed the accountability of officers, including CPs, SSPs, DSPs, and SHOs,” said Yadav. “They will be held answerable if drugs are not wiped out from their areas. After May 31, each officer’s performance will be evaluated using professional standards, intelligence inputs, and public feedback.”
Yadav was joined by Special DGP (Internal Security) RN Dhoke, ADGP (Anti-Narcotics Task Force) Nilabh Kishore, and ADGP (Law and Order) Naresh Arora at the strategy meeting.
The agenda focused on coordinated efforts to dismantle narcotics supply chains, strengthen enforcement, and introduce targeted accountability at every level.
“There are no numeric targets in this mission. Our only goal is to break the supply networks,” Yadav stated. He added that senior officers have already been instructed to thoroughly trace both forward and backward linkages in all cases filed under the NDPS Act.
The DGP emphasized the use of technology as a force multiplier, especially in tracking elusive operatives using virtual numbers.
“With criminals adopting virtual numbers to dodge arrest, we have crafted a foolproof strategy to intercept and apprehend them,” he said.
Punjab Police, he said, is currently focused on 755 identified drug hotspots across the state. These locations are undergoing sustained cordon and search operations to flush out traffickers and disrupt organized networks.
“All departments — including health, education, and social welfare — are working in coordination with us to root out the drug problem from the state,” Yadav noted, urging citizens to come forward with information.
“Residents can report drug traffickers anonymously via the ‘Safe Punjab Anti-Drug’ helpline at 97791-00200.”
He also underlined a two-pronged approach that includes punitive action for negligence and recognition for effective policing.
“Officers delivering strong results will be rewarded, but those falling short will face action,” Yadav said.
The directive marks a renewed, time-bound push by Punjab Police to suppress drug trafficking and build long-term deterrents through targeted enforcement, technological intervention, and cross-sector collaboration.
