Minister Harpal Singh : The Anti-Drug Cabinet Sub-Committee tests Anti-Drone Technology to tackle cross-border drug smuggling.
The Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee overseeing the ‘Yudh Nashe De Virudh’ campaign, FinanceMinister Harpal Singh Cheema, announced on Tuesday that the Punjab Police would soon be equipped with advanced anti-drone technology to counter cross-border drug smuggling. This initiative is part of the Punjab Government’s intensified efforts to combat drug-related crimes.
The announcement was made following a demonstration event organized by the Punjab Police at PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, where three public and private sector companies presented their state-of-the-art anti-drone solutions. The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, Punjab’s Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, along with senior civil and police officials.
Addressing the media, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the three companies showcased advanced technology designed to prevent drone-assisted smuggling of drugs, weapons, and explosives across the challenging Pakistan border. The demonstrated anti-drone systems included portable, mobile, and stationary solutions capable of intercepting drones at various distances. He emphasized that these technologies would help disrupt drone movements, thereby breaking the drug supply chain. He further stated that this initiative would significantly strengthen the state government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign aimed at eliminating drug abuse.
Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for approving the procurement of advanced anti-drone technology from both public and private firms, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema mentioned that Punjab Police, in consultation with central security agencies, would soon finalize the most effective systems.
Meanwhile, in response to a media query, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s state president, Aman Arora, highlighted that controlling cross-border smuggling of drugs and arms is primarily the responsibility of the Union Government, as the 50-kilometer area along the international border falls under the jurisdiction of the BSF. However, he noted that past efforts have not achieved complete success. The objective of this initiative, he explained, is to strengthen the state’s second line of defense to effectively counter cross-border threats, particularly narco-terrorism.
Minister Harpal Singh further mentioned that the state government has implemented a comprehensive 360-degree action plan against drug traffickers and assured that there would be no shortage of funds to safeguard Punjab’s people. He reiterated that the campaign to eliminate the drug trade aligns with the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal.