As part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” launched under the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, which has now entered its 129th day, Punjab Police conducted a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) at 180 bus stands across the state on Tuesday.
The operation was executed across all 28 police districts as per the orders of Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who oversaw the operation, stated that all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) were instructed to ensure a strong police presence, led by officers of Superintendent of Police (SP) rank, to ensure its effectiveness.
During the operation, several suspicious individuals were checked at bus stands throughout the state.
In addition, police teams intensified their anti-drug efforts by conducting raids at 458 different locations on Tuesday. These actions led to the arrest of 111 drug peddlers and the registration of 84 FIRs. With these, the total number of drug-related arrests over the 129-day campaign has reached 21,026.
The raids also resulted in the seizure of 41.3 kg of heroin, 1.7 kg of opium, and ₹23,980 in drug money.
More than 200 police teams, comprising over 1,500 personnel and supervised by 87 gazetted officers, were deployed for the state-wide operation, during which 473 suspicious individuals were checked.
Special DGP Shukla emphasized that the Punjab Police has developed a comprehensive strategy to eliminate drugs and such operations will continue until the problem is eradicated.
He added that the state government’s three-pronged approach—Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP)—is being rigorously implemented. As part of the ‘De-addiction’ initiative, 83 individuals agreed to begin rehabilitation and treatment on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Punjab Police also carried out search operations in jails located in six districts—Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Patiala, Sangrur, and SAS Nagar—to prevent any unlawful activity. Police teams conducted thorough inspections of barracks, kitchens, toilets, and other parts of the prison facilities, said Special DGP Arpit Shukla.