Punjab’s War on Drugs: 875 FIRs, 1188 Arrests in 12 Days, Major Crackdown Underway..

Chandigarh : The Punjab government has intensified its “War Against Drugs” campaign, resulting in a major crackdown on drug trafficking in the state. Within just 12 days, authorities have registered 875 FIRs and arrested 1,188 drug traffickers. Along with these arrests, law enforcement has seized ₹35 lakh in drug money, dealing a severe blow to the illegal drug trade. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema provided details of the operation, highlighting that a significant quantity of drugs has been confiscated, including 68 kg of heroin, 873 kg of poppy husk, 42 kg of opium, 3.5 kg of charas, and a staggering 6,74,370 intoxicating pills.

In addition to these enforcement measures, the government has launched a widespread awareness campaign aimed at encouraging the public to contribute to a drug-free Punjab. Various programs and initiatives are actively educating people about the dangers of drug addiction and the importance of rehabilitation efforts. The crackdown has also been accompanied by legal and administrative actions against those involved in drug-related crimes, reinforcing the state’s commitment to eradicating the menace.

Harpal Cheema strongly criticized previous administrations, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP coalition and the Congress government, accusing them of enabling the drug crisis in Punjab. He claimed that before 2007, synthetic drugs like heroin and “chitta” were unknown in Punjab, but they became rampant during the Akali-BJP rule. He alleged that instead of providing employment and opportunities, these parties allowed Punjab’s youth to fall into addiction through a systematic conspiracy.

Cheema further pointed out that former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had made a false promise in 2017 to eliminate drugs within four weeks, but his government only strengthened its ties with drug traffickers. He highlighted that under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the conviction rate for drug-related cases has risen to 86%, compared to just 58% during Congress rule and a mere 40% under the Akali-BJP regime. Some districts, such as Sangrur (93%), Nawanshahr (99%), and Ropar (95%), have achieved even higher conviction rates.

Additionally, Cheema accused the SAD-BJP alliance of fueling drug trafficking across India and labeled Gujarat as a major hub for illegal narcotics. He asserted that the spread of drugs across the country is a direct result of the policies and actions of these political parties. The Punjab government remains firm in its resolve to continue its fight against drugs and strengthen its legal framework to ensure justice.