Chandigarh, 16 February 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Monday responded to criticism from opposition parties regarding the oath-taking ceremony of Village Defence Committees held at Killi Chahl in Moga district. AAP Punjab State Media Incharge Baltej Pannu defended the event, stating that the initiative forms part of the state government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign.
Pannu said that the Village Defence Committees are being mobilised as part of the broader ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He stated that the initiative aims to involve local communities in efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
Response to Allegations Over Public Funds
Addressing opposition concerns regarding the use of public funds for the event, Pannu said that the government’s expenditure is directed toward anti-drug awareness and prevention measures. He alleged that previous administrations had failed to curb drug-related issues effectively, though opposition parties have not officially responded to these claims.
Drug enforcement in India operates under the framework of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), which regulates offences related to narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Village-Level Participation
Pannu stated that the Moga programme was attended by members of the Village Defence Committees along with local residents who voluntarily participated in the oath-taking ceremony. According to him, the campaign’s second phase seeks to expand community-level participation across rural areas.
He said that under the second phase of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, villages are being encouraged to collectively pledge support for anti-drug initiatives. The government has maintained that community involvement is a key component of its strategy to address substance abuse.
Government’s Anti-Drug Policy
The Punjab Government has repeatedly stated that it follows a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking and consumption. Enforcement actions are carried out by state police in coordination with central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Pannu said that the administration remains committed to addressing narcotics-related challenges and that action will continue under existing legal provisions.
