Punjab CM Mann announced on Monday that the state’s ‘War Against Drugs’ has entered its final stage. He said that the newly established Defence Committees in both rural and urban areas will play a critical role in completely eradicating drug trafficking from Punjab.
Addressing members of these committees, the Chief Minister said that the anti-drug drive, launched on February 4 this year, has already seen major breakthroughs. The supply chain of drugs has been largely dismantled, he added. CM Mann expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Punjab for their strong support in this mission to protect future generations.
To ensure a drug-free future for villages and cities, the government has created Defence Committees. CM Mann expressed full confidence that these committees will act like generals in the war on drugs and serve as protectors of their communities. He reiterated his vision of reviving Punjab’s vibrancy and declared that with public support, nothing can stop the state from achieving this goal.
CM Mann reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Punjab’s pride and dignity, promising that every possible effort will be made. Each village or ward-level committee will include four key members: the sarpanch or councillor, a representative of the anti-drug campaign, the BDPO or their representative, and the SHO or their representative. Depending on population, each committee will have 10 to 20 members, comprising respected individuals like ex-servicemen, teachers, and village leaders with clean records.
CM Mann made it clear that all committees will be formally recognized by the local SDM, and members will receive official government ID cards. This will ensure streamlined communication with authorities for reporting drug-related activities. He further stated that 24/7 monitoring will be implemented to prevent drug dealers from operating in any area.
CM Mann also envisioned these committees playing a key role in the rehabilitation of addicts and their reintegration into society. Villages or wards that become 100% drug-free will receive government recognition and appreciation certificates. In addition, the committees will promote awareness through street plays, door-to-door outreach, and school-based programs.
CM Mann shared that more than 10,000 village meetings have already taken place, with many panchayats resolving to declare their areas drug-free. He held traditional political parties responsible for Punjab’s drug crisis, saying the current government is now having to clean up the mess they left behind. Mann criticized earlier governments for their inaction, stating that instead of forming defence committees, they should have cracked down on drug traffickers long ago.
He accused previous political parties of protecting drug mafias and named leaders from Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal for backing a former Akali minister currently in jail on drug-related charges. CM Mann said this support exposes the deep-rooted collusion among traditional parties and challenged them to clearly declare whether they stand with or against drug traffickers. He also revealed that crucial evidence has been gathered against the jailed minister and will soon be presented in court.
In a separate announcement, CM Mann stated that once the monsoon ends, the government will begin repair work on 20,000 km of link roads, which he called the economic lifelines of Punjab. Highlighting his government’s achievements, he noted that for the first time, canal water is reaching the far ends of fields, 55,000 government jobs have been given purely on merit, and shutting down multiple toll plazas is saving residents ₹64 lakh daily.
At the event, Defence Committee members were also handed official ID cards. The event was attended by Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, and other senior officials.