In a stern message to local officials, Punjab’s government has declared that any Lambardar who serves as a guarantor for drug-related bail will lose their prestigious title. The announcement was made by Cabinet minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Aman Arora during a high-level meeting held at the District Administration Complex.
Minister Arora, who is also a member of a Cabinet Sub-Committee spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to combat drug trafficking, outlined the government’s intensified efforts under its ‘War on Drugs’ initiative. “In both rural and urban areas, we have noted a disturbing trend: certain Lambardars, along with some Sarpanches and Municipal Councillors, are offering their names as guarantors for bail bonds for drug peddlers,” Arora explained. He warned that such actions, often driven by the lure of financial gain, would lead to an immediate review and revocation of the offender’s title.
The minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns over a well-entrenched network of narcoterrorism. Arora alleged that a longstanding nexus—comprising corrupt politicians, complicit police officials, and drug lords—has been fueling the drug trade in the region. However, recent law enforcement operations have begun to dismantle this underground network.
Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, Dr. Preeti Yadav, provided further insight into the campaign’s impact. She noted a 25 percent surge in the use of Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics following the launch of the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign. “We are intensifying our inspections at drug de-addiction centers and OOAT clinics to ensure that these critical services operate effectively,” Yadav added.
Law enforcement officials have reported notable successes as well. Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Nanak Singh shared that, under the drive, police had registered 60 FIRs, arrested 85 individuals, recovered a significant cache of drugs, and conducted 28 cordon and search operations in the district.
The administration’s hardline stance was underscored by comments following a recent incident at the Thakurdwara temple in Khandwala, Amritsar. In response to the attack, Minister Arora vowed that those involved in anti-national activities would face the full measure of the law. “Punjab Police will ensure that anyone engaged in such activities ultimately meets a reckoning,” he stated.
As the state’s campaign against drug trafficking gathers momentum, officials remain determined to cleanse the administrative ranks and restore public trust by holding all complicit figures accountable.
