To intensify its fight against drug abuse, the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is set to launch a major awareness and action initiative called the “Nasha Mukti Yatra.” The campaign will reach every village and municipal ward across the state during May and June 2025.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office shared that the campaign will begin with district-level meetings from May 2 to 4, organized in collaboration with Village Defence Committees (VDCs). These initial meetings will act as formal launch events and will include participation from VDC members, village sarpanches, civil and police officials, and other stakeholders.
To ensure full coverage, the Chief Minister has directed Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to establish VDCs in villages where they do not currently exist and to involve them in the upcoming meetings. Similarly, Ward Defence Committees (WDCs) will be formed in urban areas and included in the campaign. Cabinet Ministers will preside over the meetings in each district to raise awareness, foster coordination among community groups and officials, and unite local leadership against drug-related issues.
Following the launch meetings, the second phase of the Nasha Mukti Yatra will begin on May 7, involving grassroots meetings in every village and ward. These gatherings will include local residents, VDCs/WDCs, sarpanches, and government officers, based on a state-wide schedule.
Chief Minister Mann expressed confidence that the campaign will evolve into a powerful public movement against drugs. He urged citizens to actively participate, prevent drug sales in their areas, and help individuals struggling with addiction. The success of this initiative, he emphasized, will rely heavily on the proactive involvement of VDCs, WDCs, and village leaders.