BATALA- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday asserted that the Punjab Government would erase the “blot of drugs” from the state at any cost, saying the ongoing Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign has already delivered a major blow to the narcotics network with over 63, 707 drug smugglers arrested in 437 days and illegal properties built through drug money being demolished across Punjab.
Addressing an anti-drug awareness programme dedicated to the 38th Gurugaddi Divas of Sant Trilochan Das Ji Maharaj in Batala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the fight against drugs and organised crime had now become a people’s movement, with every Punjabi standing shoulder to shoulder with the Punjab Government.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the simultaneous crackdown under the 112-day Gangstran Te Vaar campaign, ongoing welfare measures for women and healthcare, and credited the strict anti-beadbi law enacted by the Punjab Government for bringing an end to incidents of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the state.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab Government launched Yudh Nashean Virudh more than 400 days ago and this campaign has achieved resounding success. We have cracked the backbone of the drug trade and the big fishes involved in this crime have been put behind bars. This crackdown against drugs will continue with full force until this menace is completely wiped out from Punjab.”
He stated that under the campaign, the Punjab Government had not only snapped the supply lines of drugs but had also ensured rehabilitation of victims while demolishing and confiscating properties of smugglers. “If Punjabis make a firm resolve to make Punjab drug-free, then no force can stop us from achieving this noble mission. I seek the wholehearted support and cooperation of people to turn this fight into a people’s movement, ” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Highlighting Punjab’s spiritual legacy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every inch of this sacred land carries the footprints of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs who taught us to stand against tyranny, injustice and oppression. Inspired by their teachings, the Punjab Government launched this crusade against drugs and the results are now visible on the ground. The day is not far when Punjab will become completely drug-free.”
The Chief Minister stated Punjab has always been recognised as the food bowl and sword arm of the nation, with its people known worldwide for courage, resilience and enterprise. “Previous governments neglected Punjab’s development, which disillusioned the youth and forced many to leave the state. Today, the Punjab Government is making every effort to restore the pristine glory of a ‘Rangla Punjab’, ” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added.
Emphasising welfare-oriented governance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The tax money of people belongs to the people and we are spending it judiciously on their welfare. Today, people’s money is being invested in schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure instead of corruption and loot.”
He said that the Punjab Government had provided free electricity to 90% of households and given more than 65, 000 government jobs without corruption. “We have improved roads, shut toll plazas saving people around ₹70 lakh daily and strengthened infrastructure across Punjab. For the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers received more than eight hours of uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season and daytime electricity for irrigation, which has transformed their lives, ” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Speaking about healthcare reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh.” He stated that more than 30 lakh beneficiaries had already received health cards while 1.65 lakh people had availed free treatment under the scheme. “I urge people to take maximum benefit from these cards, ” he added.
On women empowerment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab Government has started the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna under which every woman will receive ₹1, 000 per month while women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1, 500 per month.” He said the amount would be transferred directly into bank accounts and women already receiving social security pensions would also remain eligible. “Around 97% women in Punjab are expected to benefit from this scheme and the Punjab Government has allocated ₹9, 300 crore for it in the budget, ” he added.
Referring to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is the Almighty’s blessing that I have got the opportunity to serve humanity by enacting this historic law which provides stricter punishment for sacrilege. This Act will ensure that such unfortunate incidents are prevented in the future.”
He asserted that sacrilege incidents were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in Punjab. “Anyone found guilty of this unpardonable offence will face exemplary punishment. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our sacred duty to preserve its sanctity, ” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, adding that Sikhs across the world were expressing gratitude over the legislation.
The Chief Minister further stated, “I am nobody to pass this Act. This service has been taken from me by Guru Sahib himself. God assigns such service only to those chosen for it and I am merely a humble servant entrusted with this responsibility.” He added that people from all sections of society had long demanded stricter laws against desecration.
Quoting Gurbani, “Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat, ” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the great Gurus had taught humanity centuries ago to respect nature and live harmoniously. “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is our living Guru and every Punjabi, especially Sikhs, follows and respects every word enshrined in it, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Punjab’s soil is so fertile that everything can grow here except hatred and animosity. This sacred land of Gurus, saints and seers has always spread the message of love, peace and tolerance. Several attempts were made to weaken Punjab’s communal harmony, but all such conspiracies failed because this land is blessed.”
*Punjab Govt’s sustained crackdown against drugs turning into a mass social movement*
The anti-drug awareness programme organised on the occasion of the 38th Gurugaddi Divas of Sant Trilochan Das Ji Maharaj at Sachkhand Nanak Dham, Darshan Darbar, Batala, also reflected the growing momentum of the Punjab Government’s determined campaign against drugs and organised crime. Under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has intensified “Yudh Nashean Virudh” across the state, leading to the arrest of more than 63, 707 drug smugglers in just 437 days, while simultaneously dismantling narcotics networks, demolishing illegal properties built through drug money and expanding rehabilitation efforts for affected youth.
Alongside this, the Punjab Government’s “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign has launched a decisive offensive against organised crime through coordinated operations by the Anti-Gangster Task Force and district police teams. The Punjab Government has also focused on de-addiction treatment, skill development and rehabilitation to ensure that affected youth are reintegrated into society with dignity and employment opportunities.