Chandigarh– Punjab’s intensified anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh,’ launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has led to the arrest of 25,646 drug smugglers and the registration of 16,400 FIRs since March 1, 2025. Authorities have seized 1,059 kg of heroin during this period, marking one of the largest crackdowns in the state’s history.
The update was shared on Wednesday at Punjab Bhawan by MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Nasha Mukti Morcha Chief Spokesperson Baltej Singh Pannu. They said the seizures also included 366 kg of opium, 215 quintals of poppy husk, 29 kg of charas, 405 kg of ganja, 6 kg of the synthetic drug ICE, and 32.35 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets. Police also recovered ₹12.32 crore in drug money from those arrested.
The state government, determined to make Punjab a drug-free state, has formed a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor and guide the anti-drug operations. “This is not a short-term campaign. The fight will continue until the drug menace is completely eradicated from Punjab,” Dhaliwal said.
Pannu highlighted that the campaign is not limited to law enforcement measures. As part of the strategy, residents in villages and city wards are being encouraged to take pledges against drug consumption and refuse to support individuals engaged in trafficking. “We are building a movement at the grassroots level so that communities themselves become stakeholders in this fight,” he added.
The ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ drive comes amid growing public concern over the deep-rooted drug problem in Punjab, which has affected families and communities for years. CM Mann’s administration has pledged to combine police action with social awareness, rehabilitation programs, and strict monitoring of vulnerable areas along the state’s borders.
With large-scale seizures and thousands of arrests in less than six months, officials believe the campaign is making a dent in the supply chain. However, they also acknowledge that the challenge remains significant, requiring sustained political will, community involvement, and cross-border coordination to ensure long-term success.
