CHANDIGARH-Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced 10, 000 new recruitments in the Punjab Police to root out drugs, as he declared that the state is fighting the final and decisive ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. During a first-of-its-kind ‘SHO Milni’ and honouring police officers for outstanding work during the campaign, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said police have full freedom to take every legitimate action against drugs and directed them to go to villages and towns, take people along and crack down on the menace. He said ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has now become a mass awareness movement across Punjab, while the police force will soon get 450 ASIs and 3, 400 police personnel.
Sharing a few snippets from this occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, held an important meeting with Punjab Police officers, from the DGP to the SHO, at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy, Phillaur. Under the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, we have given the police complete freedom to take strict action against drug smugglers. Along with providing the force with state-of-the-art facilities, we are also going to undertake 10, 000 new recruitments without any recommendation or favour. Let us resolve that we will neither stop nor bow until the menace of drugs is uprooted completely. We will not let a single mother or sister shed tears and will build a drug-free ‘Rangla Punjab’. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing the police personnel, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is a historic initiative through which I, along with the Director General of Police, am directly engaging with SHOs to understand your working conditions, listen to your concerns and formulate measures for your welfare.”
Congratulating police personnel who have performed their duties with commitment and integrity, the Chief Minister said, “SHOs carry an enormous responsibility because you are the face of policing at the grassroots level. The people come to you with their problems and expect justice, security and immediate action.”
He said, “Our government understands the pressures and challenges faced by our police personnel and is adopting a humane approach towards your genuine concerns. But alongside support, the people of Punjab expect professionalism, honesty and accountability from every police officer.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said public cooperation is indispensable in the fight against drugs, adding, “The people are providing information and cooperating with the police. But once information reaches you, taking prompt and effective action is your responsibility.”
The Chief Minister exhorted the SHOs, “Every complaint and every piece of actionable information must be dealt with seriously, professionally and without fear or favour. There should be no compromise when it comes to protecting the people of Punjab from drugs and crime.”
He said the state government is strengthening the operational capacity of the Punjab Police, stating, “We are providing CCTVs, anti-drone systems, modern vehicles and other advanced infrastructure and technology to strengthen the police force. Modern policing is essential because the networks involved in drug trafficking and organised crime are becoming increasingly sophisticated.”
Talking about technology-driven policing, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out, “Punjab is moving towards technology-driven policing, including the use of AI-enabled surveillance systems. Even before becoming Chief Minister, when I was serving as an MP, I had taken the initiative for installation of CCTVs at crucial locations in and around Dhuri, Sunam, Malerkotla, Bhadaur, Mehal Kalan, Barnala and Lehragaga so that the situation could be monitored closely.”
On strengthening the police force, he said, “We are directly recruiting 450 ASIs. Around 3, 400 recruits are presently undergoing training, while 10, 000 additional police posts are proposed to be advertised in the coming financial year. Recruitment is being carried out through a transparent and fully merit-based process. We are expanding and modernising the police force so that our personnel have the strength and resources required to discharge their responsibilities effectively.”
Highlighting the action taken against drugs, the Chief Minister noted, “In the last four and a half years, the state government has taken stringent action against drugs. More than 95, 644 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act and around 1, 27, 821 arrests have been made. More than 7, 265 kg of heroin has been recovered. As part of the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign, property worth ₹375 crore belonging to drug smugglers has been seized.”
He said community participation has emerged as an important component of the anti-drug campaign, adding, “Village Defence Committees have provided 24, 083 confidential inputs to the police. On the basis of these inputs, 4, 843 FIRs were registered and 6, 515 persons were arrested. The police remain dedicated to public service 24 hours a day. As the government’s frontline force, putting drug smugglers behind bars is the moral duty of the police. We are fighting this battle against drugs at the ground level and SHOs are the real warriors on the battlefield, fighting day and night against the enemies of society.”
On the occasion, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav and other senior officers were also present.