“Yudh Nashian Virudh” Campaign: Punjab’s Decisive Battle Against Narcotics

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Police launched the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign in February 2025. The objective of this campaign is to completely eradicate the drug trade and rejuvenate Punjab once again. Chief Minister Mann said, “We have pledged to make Punjab drug-free, and with the support of our people, no force can stop us.”

Under this campaign, Punjab Police have so far registered 20,469 FIRs and arrested 31,177 accused individuals, while 1,350 kilograms of heroin have been seized — accounting for about 60 percent of the total confiscations across the country. According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, Punjab’s 87% conviction rate is the highest in India.

The government has taken strict action against drug traffickers by demolishing their illegal properties. Along the 553-kilometer-long Punjab-Pakistan border, anti-drone systems have been deployed to curb smuggling attempts from Pakistan.

In villages across the state, ‘Drug-Free Village Defence Committees’ have been formed, working in collaboration with the police to combat drug abuse. So far, over 4,500 villages have declared themselves drug-free. Langroya village in the Nawanshahr district has set a remarkable example in this direction. Village Sarpanch Gurdev Singh said, “Earlier, our village was infamous for drugs, but now every home is happy. The youth have chosen a new path.”

To support the rehabilitation of people affected by drugs, the government has strengthened de-addiction centers and introduced anti-drug education in schools from classes 9 to 12. Amanjot Kaur (name changed) from Ludhiana shared her story: “Drugs destroyed my husband and children; they became victims of addiction. I too fell into the trap, but today, with the government’s help, I am living a drug-free life. The past cannot be changed, but now a new life can begin.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that “Yudh Nashian Virudh” is not just a campaign, but a people’s movement — a commitment to save the coming generations of Punjab from the menace of drugs.