Govt launches mass mobilisation against drug abuse in Kapurthala

In a major push to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab, thousands of members from village and ward defence committees, including sarpanches, panches, numberdars and councillors, pledged their support to the state’s anti-drug campaign at a massive gathering held near the Rail Coach Factory on Sultanpur Road today.

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The event, organised under the banner of the Punjab Government’s “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” (War against drugs) initiative, witnessed the presence of Cabinet Ministers including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Mohinder Bhagat.

Addressing the crowd, Dhaliwal announced the launch of a state-wide Nasha Mukti Yatra (Drug-free Punjab march) commencing on May 7. The yatra would visit three villages in each block daily, aiming to create grassroots-level awareness and mobilise communities against substance abuse.

“The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to breaking the drug supply chain. With public participation, we will root out drugs from every street and village,” said Dhaliwal. “We have already begun demolishing palatial properties of drug traffickers built with black money,” he said.

The ministers administered a formal pledge to attendees, urging them to be active participants in the anti-drug movement and to refrain from assisting drug traffickers in any form.

Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak highlighted the parallel effort of job creation, while stating, “Over 55,000 youth have been given government jobs based on merit, bringing new hope and direction to Punjab’s future.”

Minister Mohinder Bhagat reiterated the government’s commitment to taking the campaign to the ground level with the support of the people. “This is not just a government initiative — it’s a people’s movement.”

On the issue of Punjab’s water resources, all three ministers took a firm stance. “Punjab neither has surplus water, nor will we give a drop away,” they declared. “We are prepared to face imprisonment if needed, but the state’s water will be protected at all costs,” the ministers said. The ministers also announced an expansion of de-addiction infrastructure across the state. Punjab’s de-addiction centres now have a collective capacity of 5,000 beds, with no effort being spared to rehabilitate those willing to give up addiction.

Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal and SSP Gaurav Toora presented updates on ongoing enforcement and awareness efforts in the district. They assured that the administration would continue to take strict action against traffickers and intensify public outreach.

A highlight of the event was a street play by the Patiala-based Tamasha Arts group, depicting the harmful effects of drug abuse and promoting a message of hope and recovery.

Several dignitaries, including Lalit Saklani, Chairperson, District Planning Board, Sajjan Singh Cheema, Sultanpur Lodhi halqa in-charge, Harsimran Singh Ghumman, Director, Water Resources, Harnoor Singh Harji Mann, AAP’s Phagwara spokesperson, and Nasha Mukti Morcha district coordinator Pradeep Thind were also present on the occasion.