Over 39,000 Police-Public Meetings Turn Bhagwant Mann Govt’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ Into People’s Movement
CHANDIGARH: To strengthen Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, Punjab Police has held over 39,000 public meetings across the state since the launch of the campaign on March 1, 2025. This extensive public outreach programme has emerged as one of the strongest pillars in Punjab’s fight against drug abuse by bridging the gap between law enforcement agencies and the public.
While Punjab Police continues its sustained crackdown against drug traffickers and peddlers, its public outreach programme has encouraged active community participation and helped transform ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ into a people’s movement.
Emphasising that the fight against drugs demands a whole-of-society approach, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, “The fight against drugs cannot be won through enforcement alone. While Punjab Police remains uncompromising in its action against drug traffickers and organised networks, lasting success can only be achieved when communities become equal partners in prevention and awareness. Our outreach initiatives are strengthening trust between the police and the public, encouraging citizens to report drug-related activities and fostering a culture where people actively stand against the menace of drugs.”
As of August 5, 2026, Punjab Police has conducted 10,605 meetings with students at schools, colleges and other educational institutions to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, promote healthy lifestyles and educate them on resisting peer pressure. Students have also been encouraged to report any suspicious drug-related activity.
In addition, 3,303 Sampark Meetings have been organised, primarily focusing on the youth, who are among the most vulnerable to drug abuse. These meetings provide a platform for young people to interact directly with police officers, community leaders and local representatives. Through these interactions, misconceptions about drugs are addressed while also educating participants about de-addiction, rehabilitation and prevention.
The outreach programme has also witnessed unprecedented participation from rural and urban communities alike. More than 25,328 meetings have been conducted with members of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in rural areas and Ward Defence Committees in urban areas. This reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment to making every village and every ward drug-free.
These meetings are now being conducted regularly across the state. Every day, five districts are selected for intensive police-public interactions across their length and breadth. Larger gatherings are chaired by SP-rank officers, while local-level interactions are led by Station House Officers (SHOs), ensuring that the campaign reaches every nook and corner of Punjab. Owing to the overwhelming public response, banquet halls and large community halls are often booked to accommodate participants.
At present, Punjab has around 13,000 Village Defence Committees (VDCs) comprising nearly 1.25 lakh volunteers across the state. These members serve as the eyes and ears of Punjab Police while also acting as Good Samaritans by spreading awareness about the menace of drug abuse, particularly among the youth in their respective villages and panchayats.
These members include respected village elders, retired defence and police personnel, teachers and other eminent members of society. Working in close coordination with Punjab Police and the Health Department, VDC members not only strengthen enforcement efforts by sharing information on drug-related activities but also help connect victims of drug abuse with de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities.
Highlighting the scale and impact of the outreach programme, ADGP, Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Nilabh Kishore, said, “Punjab Police has taken this campaign to every section of society—from classrooms and colleges to villages and urban wards. More than 39,000 police-public meetings have created a strong platform for dialogue, awareness and community engagement. This sustained outreach complements our enforcement efforts by encouraging people to share information, supporting de-addiction and making communities active stakeholders in building a drug-free Punjab.”
Through these integrated efforts, Punjab Police aims to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Punjab with the active participation of all sections of society.
