CM Mann says drug menace reduced significantly, honours Nasha Mukti Yatra coordinators

The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, stated that while the drug menace has not been completely eradicated in the state, it has been significantly reduced through the collective efforts of the state government and residents. Mann made this statement while addressing a program against drugs organised in Ludhiana on Monday. The Chief Minister also honoured the zone coordinators of Nashi Mukti Yatra and members of Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which have been restructured to lead the campaign at the ground level.

Speaking further on the issue, CM Mann said that the menace of drugs had increased during the tenure of previous governments. However, after the Aam Aadmi Party assumed power in the state, it launched a battle against drugs, which has led to a significant reduction in the menace. AAP has now decided to make Punjab a “Rangla Punjab” again through the collective effort of Punjabis.

Referring to the recent arrest of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, CM Mann said that three leaders of Congress and two leaders of BJP have spoken in favour of Majithia. “I want to ask these leaders if they are hand-in-glove with these drug smugglers or against them,” CM Mann said. “They should clear their stand as they openly favour Majithia.”

Without naming any leaders, CM Mann mentioned that other party leaders, such as Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, and Capt Amarinder Singh, had openly come in support of this “wadda taskar” (big smuggler). He added that a basket full of evidence is being submitted in court to bring the case to a logical end.

Addressing the gathering, CM Mann said that today is a historic day, as people from Ludhiana have shown huge enthusiasm. AAP has done much work in the three-and-a-half years, such as simplifying the process of property registration, providing government jobs to youths, and ending corruption in revenue offices. CM Mann also mentioned that corruption used to prevail in tehsils, citing examples of how patwaris would resort to corrupt practices whenever landowners asked for amendments in land records. However, the state government’s efforts have simplified the process of amending property records, offering huge relief from corrupt practices.

DGP Punjab Gaurav, while addressing the gathering, said that Punjab’s big campaign to eradicate the drug menace has served a significant purpose. VDC representatives have been restructured to take the drug campaign further. VDCs will coordinate in the campaign against drugs, and special identity cards will be issued to members so that they can work with full freedom. So far, 4,116 FIRs have been registered under the drug campaign, which started on March 1 this year, along with the arrests of smugglers, big recoveries of drugs, illegal weapons, vehicles, etc. Interestingly, most recoveries have been ensured after receiving tips from people on the ground.

Chief Secretary KAP Sinha said that VDC members will include village sarpanch, panchayat members, ward councillors, teachers, area SHOs, prominent village residents, etc. If any village or ward manages to become drug-free, the government will give recognition. These VDCs will hold awareness campaigns in villages and schools and keep a hawk’s eye on drug peddlers or drug addicts. If VDCs share any information, immediate action will be taken against the miscreants.