Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday, 16 October reaffirmed that dismantling the state's drug trafficking networks remains the government's foremost priority, pledging that police would operate without political interference in their enforcement operations. Mann made the remarks while reviewing the state's anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashean Virudh', at the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur.

Key Announcements at Phillaur Review

During the review meeting with senior police officials, Mann announced the approval of 117 new vehicles for Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) across the state to bolster ground-level enforcement. He described drug abuse as a 'grave social menace' threatening Punjab's youth and said the government was pursuing a dual-track strategy targeting both the supply chain and demand side of the narcotics problem.

'The fight against drugs is not just the responsibility of the police; it must become a people's movement,' Mann said, reiterating that law enforcement agencies had been given a free hand to discharge their duties without recommendations or political interference.

A Campaign Beyond Police Action

The Chief Minister stressed that tackling the narcotics crisis requires broader societal participation. He called for every family, village, and neighbourhood to actively join the campaign, framing sustained community engagement as essential to the effort's success. This comes amid recurring concerns from civil society groups that enforcement-only approaches have historically fallen short of curbing drug demand in Punjab's districts most affected by addiction.

Mann Hits Out at the Centre Over Trafficking Routes

In pointed criticism directed at the Union government, Mann alleged that drug trafficking was prevalent in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, yet Punjab was being 'singled out and defamed' over the issue. He urged the Centre to take effective measures to stop the flow of narcotics across the international border and through Gujarat, rather than targeting Punjab's reputation. The remarks reflect an ongoing political flashpoint between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre over accountability for the state's drug problem.

Mansa Activist Murder and Accountability

Mann also addressed the recent murder of a social activist in Mansa, asserting that those responsible would face strict punishment. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring accountability and justice in the case, though no fresh investigative details were disclosed at the review.

What Comes Next

The 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign is set to continue with intensified enforcement, with the newly sanctioned DSP vehicles expected to improve operational mobility in drug-prone districts. Observers will watch whether the people's movement framing translates into measurable demand-reduction metrics alongside the supply-side crackdown. Mann asserted that the government would not allow Punjab's reputation to be tarnished and would press forward until trafficking networks are dismantled.