Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday asserted that the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ (war against drugs) will continue until every ounce of the menace is eliminated from the state, declaring that the remarkable success of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has been made possible through the active participation of people. During a meeting with Village Defence Committee (VDC) volunteers, Pinda De Pehredaar, in Ludhiana, the Chief Minister said the campaign has completed 500 days, during which 70,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, while 1.25 lakh volunteers across 13,000 villages have emerged as the backbone of the movement.
Launching a scathing attack on previous governments, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akali Dal introduced drugs and the Congress patronised the menace, whereas the AAP Government has broken its backbone through strict action against smugglers, treatment and rehabilitation of victims, and an unprecedented public awareness campaign. He said Punjab, once branded as ‘Udta Punjab’, is now transforming into ‘Padhta Te Tandrust Punjab’, as reflected in the state’s top ranking in school education, record JEE and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) success and merit-based employment, while reiterating that the fight against drugs will continue until Punjab becomes completely drug-free.
Sharing a few snippets from this programme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Met with Village Defence Committee (VDC) volunteers in Ludhiana today. Our campaign against drugs has delivered remarkable results over the past 500-plus days. With the joint efforts of the Punjab Police and our volunteers, 70,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, breaking the backbone of the drug trade. The state once branded as ‘Udta Punjab’ is now transforming into ‘Padhta Te Tandrust Punjab’. Punjab’s top ranking in school education, 882 students qualifying NEET, and more than 68,500 government jobs stand as proof of this transformation. This fight will continue until drugs are completely eradicated from Punjab. Let us all come together to build a ‘Rangla Punjab’. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing a packed gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is a significant day as Yudh Nashean Virudh has completed 500 days and our Village Defence Committees have completed one year. I thank the people of Punjab for turning both these initiatives into a people’s movement. The day is not far when together these two movements will completely eradicate the menace of drugs from Punjab.”