Jalalpur (Hoshiarpur), May 17 — Reaffirming his government’s resolve to tackle the state’s drug crisis, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday pledged to transform Punjab into a vibrant and self-reliant state through youth-focused initiatives, including sports development and industrial revival.
“We are determined to eliminate the drug menace from Punjab,” Mann said while addressing villagers in Jalalpur on the second day of the Nasha Mukti Yatra. “Our vision of a Rangla Punjab includes building sports infrastructure, ushering in an industrial revolution, and generating employment for the youth.”
Mann accused previous regimes of neglecting public welfare and pursuing personal agendas. “Some acted like rajas, others like maharajas. How can they ever understand the pain of the common man?” he said. “No chief minister in the past went to the people like this. I am visiting village after village to assure residents that their government stands with them and is actively working to resolve their issues.”
During his speech, Mann also addressed the contentious water-sharing issue with Haryana, asserting that Punjab’s water resources belong to its farmers. “Earlier governments gave away Punjab’s water for their own benefit. I will never allow that,” he said. “We have modernized our canal network and need the water for our upcoming paddy season.”
Joining him in Jalalpur, AAP national convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal praised the state’s anti-drug drive Yudh Nasheyan Virudh. “Police operations targeting drug traffickers, crackdowns on supply networks, and the improved functioning of de-addiction centres have rekindled hope,” Kejriwal said. “To further channel the energy of our youth, we’ll ensure every village has a stadium.”
Mann and Kejriwal also led villagers in taking a collective oath against drug use as part of AAP’s month-and-a-half-long campaign to spread awareness and engage communities across Punjab.
