Chandigarh, June 30: The state-wide ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign has entered an intensified phase following a comprehensive administrative review by the Punjab Government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann directed all district administrative and police heads to increase field visits and coordinate directly with local residents to sustain a zero-tolerance stance against narcotics smuggling.
The ongoing enforcement drive has led to a significant increase in the number of individuals voluntarily entering rehabilitation programs. In response, the state government has expanded its network of Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment centers to 565 facilities, ensuring air-conditioned spaces, enhanced care environments, and adequate clinical assets for recovering patients.
“Public participation is essential because the fight against drugs has to become a mass movement,” Chief Minister Mann affirmed during the high-level security briefing. “In districts where the Village Defence Committees are comparatively less active, they should be encouraged to actively participate in this mission of public importance. Meetings of Village Defence Committees must be organised every month in every district.”
The strategy relies heavily on transforming the campaign into a collaborative civic movement. Senior officers have been ordered to conduct routine village patrols as a confidence-building measure, working hand-in-hand with a 1.50 lakh-strong civilian defense network to monitor local neighborhoods effectively.
The current administration asserted that it remains fully committed to eliminating the social stigma surrounding recovery by investing heavily in skill development and rehabilitation. Through initiatives like the ‘Soorma’ program, the state is actively utilizing the experiences of successfully recovered citizens to inspire communities and build a stable, prosperous future for the next generation.
