LUDHIANA-Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday asserted that the Punjab Government’s 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (war against drugs) will continue until every ounce of the menace is eliminated from the state, declaring that the remarkable success of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has been made possible through the active participation of people. During a meeting with Village Defence Committee (VDC) volunteers, Pinda De Pehredaar, in Ludhiana, the Chief Minister said the campaign has completed 500 days, during which 70, 000 drug smugglers have been arrested, while 1.25 lakh volunteers across 13, 000 villages have emerged as the backbone of the movement.
Launching a scathing attack on previous governments, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akali Dal introduced drugs and the Congress patronised the menace, whereas the AAP Government has broken its backbone through strict action against smugglers, treatment and rehabilitation of victims, and an unprecedented public awareness campaign. He said Punjab, once branded as ‘Udta Punjab’, is now transforming into ‘Padhta Te Tandrust Punjab’, as reflected in the state’s top ranking in school education, record JEE and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) success and merit-based employment, while reiterating that the fight against drugs will continue until Punjab becomes completely drug-free.
Sharing a few snippets from this programme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Met with Village Defence Committee (VDC) volunteers in Ludhiana today. Our campaign against drugs has delivered remarkable results over the past 500-plus days. With the joint efforts of the Punjab Police and our volunteers, 70, 000 drug smugglers have been arrested, breaking the backbone of the drug trade. The state once branded as ‘Udta Punjab’ is now transforming into ‘Padhta Te Tandrust Punjab’. Punjab’s top ranking in school education, 882 students qualifying NEET, and more than 68, 500 government jobs stand as proof of this transformation. This fight will continue until drugs are completely eradicated from Punjab. Let us all come together to build a ‘Rangla Punjab’. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing a packed gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is a significant day as Yudh Nashean Virudh has completed 500 days and our Village Defence Committees have completed one year. I thank the people of Punjab for turning both these initiatives into a people’s movement. The day is not far when together these two movements will completely eradicate the menace of drugs from Punjab.”
Thanking the gathering, the Chief Minister said that he is indebted to all those serving Punjab in the true spirit and added that their determination proves that any challenge, however big, can be overcome with collective resolve. “The problem that once appeared insurmountable is steadily coming to an end within 500 days. Many people believed that this curse could never be eliminated, but with the active support of the people we have broken the backbone of this menace, ” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister said that the AAP Government has ensured treatment for those trapped in drug addiction by taking them to de-addiction and rehabilitation centres so they can live with dignity and self-respect. “We have arrested 70, 000 drug smugglers in the last 500 days. Across 13, 000 villages, nearly 1.25 lakh volunteers are actively working to eliminate drugs. Only an honest government committed to the welfare of the people could have undertaken such determined action, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Akali Dal introduced ‘chitta’ (drugs) into Punjab and the Congress further promoted and patronised the menace, just as both parties were responsible for misgovernance in the state. “Today, our government has wiped out drugs from the state. Helping someone leave drugs behind is equivalent to taking that person on a pilgrimage. It gives me immense satisfaction that our government has rewritten Punjab’s history from ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Padhta Punjab’ through an education revolution, ” he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab has emerged as the top-performing state in primary and middle-school education due to the sustained efforts of the state government over the last four years.
Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Dr. Balbir Singh, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.