Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh :
Kejriwal, CM Bhagwant Mann say people’s participation will uproot drug menace completely from Punjab
Punjab’s campaign against drugs entered a decisive new phase on Wednesday with the launch of Phase II of Yudh Nashean Virudh, as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann called for united public participation to eradicate drugs from the state. The second phase was launched at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, marking a shift from enforcement-led action to a large-scale people’s movement.
Addressing a large gathering, Arvind Kejriwal said Punjab had shown the entire country how a real war against drugs should be fought. He highlighted that since the launch of Phase I on March 1, 2025, the state had taken unprecedented action against drug traffickers. “In just ten months, nearly 28,000 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and courts have awarded punishment in about 88 percent of these cases. Such a high conviction rate proves that the action taken was honest and effective,” he said.
Kejriwal said around 42,000 smugglers had been arrested so far, including over 350 major drug traffickers. He added that properties created from drug money were demolished and confiscated, sending a strong message that crime would not pay in Punjab. According to him, for the first time, even the biggest drug traffickers, once considered untouchable, were arrested and sent to jail, restoring people’s faith in governance.
Emphasising public participation, Kejriwal said the foundation of Phase II lay in the fact that ordinary citizens know who sells drugs in their areas. To channel this awareness, Village Defence Committees (VDCs) were formed across villages and urban wards. He said nearly 1.50 lakh volunteers had already joined these committees, turning the anti-drug drive into a mass movement. A dedicated mobile application has been launched to allow volunteers to confidentially share information, with all monitoring done directly from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Kejriwal also announced statewide padyatras from January 10 to 30 to mobilise citizens and a mega gathering of VDC volunteers on February 13. He said anyone could join the movement by giving a missed call on 9899100002. He added that along with enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts was a priority, with de-addiction infrastructure significantly strengthened across the state.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the overwhelming public response showed Punjab was close to winning the war against drugs. He described drugs as not just a crime but a serious social problem, which could only be defeated through a mass movement. Mann accused previous regimes of patronising drug networks and said their “sins against Punjab” would never be forgiven.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the state government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers while treating addicts with compassion. He said the government had expanded de-addiction centres, improved facilities and ensured free treatment. Mann also underlined broader governance achievements, including providing over 61,000 jobs, improving education and healthcare, and focusing on youth engagement through sports infrastructure.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said Punjab had created history by successfully implementing Phase I and expressed confidence that Phase II would decisively break drug networks through community participation.
With a multi-dimensional strategy combining enforcement, public vigilance, rehabilitation and prevention, the Punjab government reiterated its commitment to continue the campaign until the state is completely drug free.