DGP Gaurav Yadav Issues Strong Ultimatum: Zero Drug Availability on Streets by May 31 or Face Accountability
To fulfil Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of a “Nasha Mukt Punjab”, Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday delivered a stern directive to all district police heads, demanding the complete elimination of street-level drug availability by May 31. He warned that strict accountability will be enforced, including at the Station House Officer (SHO) level, for any failure to meet this target.
DGP Yadav, along with Special DGP Internal Security R.N. Dhoke, ADGP ANTF Nilabh Kishore, and ADGP Law & Order Naresh Arora, chaired a crucial high-level meeting with all Range IGPs, DIGs, CPs, and SSPs. The aim was to further strengthen the state’s ongoing anti-drug strategy.
He stated that major decisions were made during the meeting, including holding officers directly responsible for drug presence in their jurisdictions. From CPs and SSPs to DSPs and SHOs, each officer will be assessed based on performance, with rewards for effective work and consequences for underperformance, based on professional criteria, intelligence reports, and public feedback post-May 31.
DGP Yadav clarified that the emphasis is not on meeting numerical targets but on dismantling entire drug supply networks. Officers have already been instructed to track both forward and backward linkages in NDPS Act cases and pursue thorough investigations to expose drug syndicates.
The three-hour session was held in two phases. The first part involved a district-wise review of FIRs, accomplishments, and gaps. In the second, officers presented their detailed district-level plans to eliminate drug activity by the end of May.
DGP Yadav noted that strategies were discussed to apprehend major traffickers, including the use of advanced technology and intelligence techniques to combat evasive methods like virtual numbers and layered operations. He emphasized that Punjab Police is concentrating efforts on 755 identified drug hotspots, with focused, repeated operations (CASOs) to disrupt access in these vulnerable zones.
He also shared that departments like Health and Education are working together with law enforcement to strengthen the state’s de-addiction infrastructure and reintegrate drug victims into society.
Calling for widespread public support, the DGP urged citizens to report drug activity via the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (9779100200), assuring anonymity and highlighting that each report is monitored daily, with the Chief Minister personally overseeing progress.
Marking 60 days of the ongoing “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, the DGP reported that since March 1, 2025, police have arrested 7,889 drug smugglers, registered 4,930 FIRs under the NDPS Act, and seized 325 kg heroin, 100 quintals of poppy husk, 157 kg opium, 95 kg ganja, over 21.89 lakh tablets/capsules, and ₹8.09 crore in drug money.